Welfare State
Concept and Functions
PRSENTATION OF
Department of Political Science
KALIKADEVI COLLEGE
WELFARE STATE
Concept and Functions
Meaning:
Welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a
key role in the protection of the economic & social well-being of its
citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity,
equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those
unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life.
Definitions:
Acc. to Dr. Abraham, “A welfare state is a community where state power is
deliberately used to modify the normal play of economic forces so as to obtain a
more equal distribution of income for every citizen.”
Acc to Kent, “A welfare state is a state which provides for its citizens a wide
range of social services.”
Philosophical Contribution to the Development of
the Concept:
J. S. Mill (1806-73) sought to modify utilitarianism and the
principle of laissez-faire on philosophical grounds which
paved the way for the theory of welfare state.
T. H. Green (1836-82) sought to add a moral dimension to
liberalism and thus advanced a full-fledged theory of
welfare state.
This tradition was further developed by L. T. Hobhouse
(1864-1929), Harold J. Laski (1893-1950) and R. H. Tawney
(1880-1962).
There are two main interpretations of
the idea of a welfare state:
A model in which the state assumes primary responsibility for the
welfare of its citizens. This requires a tight bureaucratic control over
the people concerned, with a maximum of interference in their lives
to establish who are “in need” and minimize cheating. This model is
dominant in U.S.
Acc. to second model the state distributes welfare with little
bureaucratic interference as possible, to all people who fulfill easily
established criteria (e.g. having children, receiving medical treatment,
etc.). This requires high taxing of which almost everything is
channeled back to the taxpayers with minimum expenses for
bureaucratic personnel. This model was constructed by the
Scandinavian ministers K. K. Steincke and G. Moller in the 30s and
is dominant in Scandinavia.
Emergence of the concept of Welfare State:
Modern welfare states developed through a gradual process beginning
in the late 19th Century and continuing through the 20th. Major
landmarks in the way of its development are as follow:
The development of social insurance in Germany under
Bismarck.
Changed attitudes in reaction to the Great Depression were
instrumental in the move to the welfare state in many
countries. As during the Great Depression, welfare state
was seen as an alternative “middle way” between
communism and capitalism.
In the period following the Second World War, many
countries in Europe moved from partial or selective
provision of social services to relatively comprehensive
coverage of the population.
At the end of century non-governmental organizations
became important providers of social services.
Present-Day Welfare State:
The activities of present-day welfare states extend to the provision
of both cash welfare benefits (such as old-age pensions or
unemployment benefits) and in-kind welfare services (such as
health or childcare services).
Welfare Functions of the State
Though it is very difficult to prepare a fixed list of the
functions of the Liberal Welfare State, yet Prof.
Willoughby and Prof. Gettell have divided the functions
of the state into two categories such as:
Welfare Functions of the State
Compulsory Functions Optional Functions
Compulsory Functions
Maintenance of Law and Order
Protection from Foreign Invasions
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with
other States
Providing Justice to the People
Optional Functions
Protection of Life and Liberty To Make Regulations Regarding
Trade and Industries
Judicial Administration
Development of Natural
Spread of Education Resources
Social and Economic Security To Make Regulations regarding
Eradication of Poverty Export and Import
Improvement of Health Imposition and Collection of
Taxes
Moral and Social Reforms Protection of Environment
To Provide Recreational Protection of the Interests of
Facilities Labourers
To Provide Public Utility
Services
Development of Agriculture
Objectives of Welfare State
To Provide Economic Security
Political Security
Social Equality
To Achieve International Cooperation
To Seek Public Welfare
Cultural Development
Criticism of the Welfare State
It Makes the State Inefficient
Man will not be able to become Self-Dependent
Costly Administration
Encouragement to Bureaucracy
Curtailment in the Liberties of the Citizens
