6.2.1

The Welfare State

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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.

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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.
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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...
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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).
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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

The state is not the only body to provide welfare provisioning. Other examples include private, voluntary and informal provisioning.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

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