Definition and Characteristics of Welfare State
Definition of Welfare State
Emergence and Development of the Welfare State
People's efforts to get freedom from dictatorial rule and state system have been going on for a long time. In the past, the main purpose of the state was only to preserve the interests of the ruling class, maintain peace and order, suppress criminal activities, etc. Proponents of individualism, John Stuart Mill, Herbert Spencer limited the functions of the state to the maintenance of internal peace and order, protection of the state from external attacks, punishment and punishment of criminals. For these reasons the state was called a police state.
From the second decade of the 20th century, a revolutionary change began to take place in the attitude of the people towards the functions of the state. Thinking people began to think of a new state system to escape the evils of capitalism. After the First World War, the role of the state in the socio-economic field began to be felt to a greater extent. The concept of socialist meditation became widespread. After the establishment of the socialist system in Russia in 1917, the capitalist states began to engage in various public welfare activities.
According to the definition given by the United Nations, "A state that provides food, clothing, shelter, health and education facilities to every citizen and can provide full security to the people when they fail to earn a living due to unemployment or illness or any other reason is called a welfare state." After 2nd World War , the amount of charitable work increased. Mainly to resist the system the capitalist world adopts a variety of welfare measures. In this way extreme capitalism and socialism are one in between the he welfare state emerged as a middle ground. All democratic states of the present world are more or less welfare states.
Characteristics of Welfare State:
Performing Social Work
A welfare state adopts and implements welfare programs in all social, political, economic, cultural and religious spheres and provides social security, social insurance, unemployment benefits, free education and medical care for the greater good of the society. Construction of roads, supply of drinking water, help and rehabilitation of healthy and helpless people etc. perform various social service activities.
Preservation of lndividual Freedom and Independence
The welfare state paves the way for individual development by protecting the individual's freedom and individuality. The welfare state creates an environment conducive to individual, liberties and safeguards individual rights.
Conservation of Standard of Living
The welfare state aims to maintain a minimum standard of living by eliminating economic inequality among citizens. It protects the social balance by eliminating the existing disparity between the rich and the poor in the society.
Protecting the Interests of All
A welfare state protects the common interests of all irrespective of caste, religion, class group. This system does not protect the interests of special classes or groups. Workers, traders, industrialists strive to protect the interests of all.
Full Employment
A welfare state aims at full employment. William Beveridge in his “Full Employment in a Free Society" mentions full employment as an important feature of the welfare state.
Take the Middle Ground
In the economic sphere, the welfare state adopts a moderate approach. Balancing private ownership and state ownership eases people's suffering. Benefit from the combination of capitalist and socialist systems
Arranged Education Culture
The welfare state lays emphasis on generosity, open-mindedness, free-thinking and self-confidence among people. For this purpose, the state focused on the development of literature, culture, arts and religious values. The state encourages poets, artists, writers and intellectuals for cultural development.
Summary
The real purpose of the welfare state is to achieve the overall welfare of the people. All the resources of this state are invested for social welfare. The welfare state provides social and economic security to the masses. Such a state protects the common interests of all, irrespective of caste, religion, and brings balance to the society. All democratic states in the modern world are more or less welfare states.