If you watch any news channel, you might hear the term 'welfare state' referred to the US.

I am just curious, if you really know what it means!

(No googling please!)


I will post after some discussion what it is.

I think it means the underclass...that is and has been for generations...soley depenedent upon...the government as it's provider...

If you watch any news channel, you might hear the term 'welfare state' referred to the US.

I am just curious, if you really know what it means!

(No googling please!)


I will post after some discussion what it is.

Briefly, "the Welfare State" refers to a system of welfare controlled by the State (the national government). the segment of the population on welfare is effectively controlled financially by government dictates and rules. This makes welfare recipients quasi-wards of the State, and essentially a country-within-a-country.

Hopefully, others will have time to get into more detail for you.

Ciao,
Matvei.

Hi Tanya

I think it's the paridigm consisting of those who don't or can't be responsible for their own basic needs having those needs met by taxpayer money, no ?

So, you think it's the group of individuals that receive resources from the government such as cash assistance, food stamps and housing subsidies?

Okay... that's one idea... anyone else? Agree? Disagree?

they meant me! :)

I don't it is referring to actual "welfare" in the sense we know it or have heard of it..

It's more like the well-being, the welfare and well being of people.

Although a lot of different meanings are thrown around the welfare state actually referres to the government's role in caring for all of the citizens in this country.

References to this information include:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_state

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-welfare-state.htm

The welfare state provides education, housing, sustenance, healthcare, pensions, unemployment insurance, sick leave or time off due to injury, supplemental income in some cases, and equal wages through price and wage controls. It also provides for public transportation, childcare, social amenities such as public parks and libraries, as well as many other goods and services. Some of these items are paid for via government insurance programs while others are paid for by taxes.

Most advanced nations are not true welfarewelfarewelfare states, although many provide at least some social services or entitlement programs. These goods and services are generally available only to certain people who meet eligibility requirements. However, those that meet the prerequisites are guaranteed -or entitled to- benefits as a right. This type of system is frequently referred to as a “safety net,” which is designed to help the most vulnerable.

The welfarewelfarewelfare statestatestate is socialist in nature. It redistributes wealth by heavily taxing the middle and upper classes in order to provide goods and services for those seen as underprivileged. However, even countries that don’t typically subscribe to socialism offer at least some form of safety net, most of which continue to expand.

One example is the United States, which according to many European countries, is found lacking when it comes to altruism in government. The truth is that the welfarewelfarewelfare statestatestate on a federal level is the antithesis of personal liberty, at least according to the U.S. Constitution, which enumerates specific powers granted to the federal government. The Tenth Amendment grants all other powers to the states, “or to the people.” This means that individual states should be in charge of their own welfarewelfarewelfare programs, rather than the central government.

While some nations believe that creating a welfarewelfarewelfare statestatestate is the proper role of any central government, few have managed to create efficient systems. They are unable to provide equitably for all their citizens, often leaving those most in need with the least. Rationing of goods and services also becomes a major problem when too many people depend on the welfarewelfarewelfare statestatestate.

All advanced societies view helping people who literally cannot help themselves as decent, humane, and necessary. Yet, another serious issue with the welfarewelfarewelfare statestatestate philosophy is that many people who are capable of caring for themselves have no motivation to improve their lives when they can depend on the government to provide for them. This often breeds resentment amongst those who do work when they are forced to pay for people who do not, via ever-increasing taxes.

Such a system can fuel class warfare and prevent equality instead of obtaining it. The concept of the welfarewelfarewelfare statestatestate may appear to be a good model on paper. However, the reality of creating a truly equitable statestatestate has thus far been impossible to achieve.

dragoness, No google!

I'll put some stuff here but first I have to run some errands

I'll be back after I pick up my Social Security Check and my foodstamps, and I have to stop by the Medicare office

I'll put some stuff here but first I have to run some errands

I'll be back after I pick up my Social Security Check and my foodstamps, and I have to stop by the Medicare office