Skip to main content

Search from vocabulary

Content language

Concept information

Preferred term

welfare state  

Definition

  • The foundation of the welfare state is the idea that the state has an obligation to all its citizens to protect their well-being and this cannot be left to individuals, private organisations or the local community. Welfare states typically use taxation and compulsory insurance schemes to protect against poverty with unemployment benefits, sickness benefits, old age pensions and income support schemes for the very poorly-paid, and to provide free education, medical care and public housing. [Source: The SAGE Dictionary of Sociology; Welfare State]

Belongs to group

URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/welfare_state

Download this concept: