The Welfare State
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 6.2.1
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 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
- 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’
- 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
- 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.
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
- 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 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
- 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 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.
Test yourself on The Welfare State
The Welfare State grew out of which report in 1942?
Which is NOT an example of voluntary provision of welfare?
BUPA healthcare is an example of what kind of welfare provisioning?