Responses and solutions to poverty by the state and by private, voluntary and informal welfare providers in contemporary society Flashcards
what is the welfare state?
-a system where the government provides social services to ensure citizens’ well-being
-based on the Beveridge Report (1942), aiming to combat the ‘Five Giants’: Want, Ignorance, Disease, Squalor and Idleness
-established in Britain on 5th July 1948 with the NHS
what are the key principles of the welfare state?
- full employment- everyone should have access to work
- universal welfare- ‘cradle to grave’ support for all citizens
- free healthcare and education- accessible to all, funded by taxation
- traditional gender roles- initially assumed women would focus on homemaking
what are the different welfare providers in society?
- State welfare (public sector)- funded by taxation, providing social security, healthcare (NHS), education, and social services
- private sector- includes private hospitals, schools, and insurance, often accessible to those who can afford it
- voluntary sector- charities like Shelter, Age UK, and the Salvation Army fill gaps left by the state
- informal welfare- support provided by families, friends, and communities, often unpaid
what is welfare pluralism?
-the idea that welfare services are provided by multiple sectors (state, private, voluntary, and informal)
-supports a mixed economy of welfare, allowing choice and competition
-critics argue it creates inequality, as wealthier individuals can afford better private services
advantages of the welfare state
-acts as a safety net, ensuring basic needs are met
-more accountability as it is funded by taxpayers
-services based on need, not profit
disadvantages of the welfare state
-high costs, leading to taxation increases
-bureaucratic inefficiencies and long waiting times
-potential for dependency culture
what are the key sociological perspectives on welfare?
marxist perspective:
-welfare state exists to prevent social unrest and maintain capitalism
-benefits workers only enough to keep them productive
what are the key sociological perspectives on welfare?
feminist perspective:
-welfare system reinforces patriarchy (assumes women are carers)
-women often in low-paid jobs, making them more reliant on welfare
what are the key sociological perspectives on welfare?
New Right perspective:
-welfare creates dependency culture
-advocates for minimal state intervention and self-reliance
what are the key sociological perspectives on welfare?
social democratic perspective:
-supports universal welfare funded through taxation
-believes the state should reduce inequality and poverty
what was the impact of the Conservative governments (1979-1997) on welfare?
-reduced welfare spending and privatised services
-increased means testing to target only the ‘deserving poor’
-reduced taxes but cut benefits
-increased university tuition fees and introduces student loans
-led to higher poverty rates and greater inequality
how did New Labour (1997-2010) change welfare policies?
-“a hand up, not a handout”- encouraged people to work rather than rely on benefits
-introduced tax credits to make low-paid work more financially viable
-raised benefits and pensions to tackle poverty
-national minimum wage was introduced
-invested in childcare and Sure Start Centres to help disadvantaged families
what were the welfare policies of the Coalition Government (2010-2015)?
-Universal credit introduces to simplify benefits
-stricter rules for those on disability benefits
-housing benefit capped (leading to ‘bedroom tax’)
-reduction in child benefits and tax credits
-critics argue these policies disproportionately harmed the poorest
what is the ‘inverse care law’?
-suggests that those in greatest need receive the least help
-middle-class groups benefit more from healthcare, education, and pensions
-poorer groups often struggle to access services
what are universal benefits?
-NHS, Child Benefit
-given to everyone, regardless of income
-avoid stigma but cost more in taxation
what are means-tested benefits?
-only given to those who pass an income test
-targets those in need but can discourage work and cause stigma
what are the main criticisms of the welfare state?
-creates dependency culture (New Right)
-does not eliminate poverty, only reduces its worst effects
-bureaucratic inefficiencies lead to delays and poor service quality
-middle-class benefits more, reinforcing inequality
-financially unsustainable due to rising cost
