6.2.1
The Welfare State
The Welfare State
The Welfare State
A welfare state is concerned with implementing social policies guaranteeing the ‘cradle to grave' wellbeing of the whole population, including the elimination of poverty. The welfare state includes a welfare benefits system via social security and tax systems.
Welfare pluralism
Welfare pluralism
- Welfare pluralism refers to a system whereby welfare provision is provided by both state and non-state means.
- These include state provision, private provision, voluntary provision and informal provision.
State provision
State provision
- The Welfare State grew out of the 1942 Beveridge Report which set out the need for a state system of social insurance (or national insurance) to eliminate the ‘5 giants’ of...
The ‘5 giants’
The ‘5 giants’
- Want (caused by poverty).
- Idleness (caused by the lack of jobs or the ability to gain employment).
- Squalor (caused by poor housing).
- Disease (caused by inadequate healthcare provision).
- Ignorance (caused by lack of education).
Welfare services
Welfare services
- This state system of free welfare services paid for by taxation included:
- The National Health Service (NHS).
- Compulsory state education.
- Social security benefits.
- Social services.
Other Provisions
Other Provisions
The state is not the only body to provide welfare provisioning. Other examples include private, voluntary and informal provisioning.
Private provision
Private provision
- Private welfare provision is based on the principles of the free market (the New Right approach).
- Uses private profit-making businesses to deliver welfare services in exchange for profit just as with any business.
Example
Example
- An example would be an individual paying for an operation instead of using the free service of the NHS.
- Many individuals take out private health-care insurance to pay for some services such as BUPA.
Voluntary provision (or third sector)
Voluntary provision (or third sector)
- Voluntary welfare provision is delivered by non-profit organisations such as charities (e.g. the Trussell Trust foodbanks).
- Non-profit-making organisations are funded by donations from the public and grants.
Examples
Examples
- Organisations include Shelter, Help the Aged and the Child Poverty Action Group which are also pressure groups.
- Pressure groups are free to put pressure on those in power in order to raise the awareness of the plight of the poor in order to improve welfare provision; state provision cannot do this.
Informal provision
Informal provision
- Informal welfare provision – is delivered by family, friends and neighbours providing meals, driving the elderly to doctor’s appointments, etc.
- Mack and Lansley (2015) point out that in recent years the burden of welfare is moving increasingly from the state to individuals and households.
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
Jump to other topics
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
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