Question

Write an essay on Welfare State.

Answer 1

In present day India the term 'the welfare state’ is so much in fashion.

•In the Indian constitution article 98 says :
“The state shall strive to promote the Welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in with justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the Institutions of the national life”.

•In the Indian constitution article 39 says :
“ i) adequate means of livelihood. ii) distribution of natural resources so as best to subserve the common good. iii) opposition of the concentration of wealth. iv) equal pay for equal work for both men and women. v) the non exploitation of children. vi) conservation of Health and strength of work especially women and children.

•In the Indian constitution article 41 says :
“The state securing the right to work to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.

The welfare state gives equal importance to both state and individual. It encourage the happiness and welfare of the people. It aims for the development of individual personality and maintenance of good social life.

Some features of the welfare state are as follows :
1.It give importance to the value and nobility of the individual and helps him to lead a respectful life in the society.
2. The welfare state execute various progressive measures such as price control ,education, provision of health, sanitation, communication, Land Reforms, Public Distribution system essential commodities etc.
3. The welfare state is also responsible for various social services like eradication of child marriage, dowry ,untouchability, poverty , unemployment illiteracy etc. Welfare state also provides its citizen unemployment relief , Maternity Benefit, old age pension and other social benefits.

The functions of welfare state are divided into :-
a.Welfare functions - These functions includes eradicating contagious diseases, illiteracy, giving employment, providing social benefits, eradicating social evils etc.

b. Protective functions - These function includes maintenance of internal order, communication system, transport system, Postal System, safeguarding the country against external attacks, preventing the state by criminal activities and theft etc

c. Regulative functions - These function includes controlling communal, caste and class riots, maintaining law and order throughout the state, promoting peace, restrain Anti Social elements and their activities etc.

Definition of welfare state :
•By Amartya Sen - “The welfare state is a system wherein government agrees to underwrite certain levels of employment, income, education, medical aid, social security and housing for all its citizens.

•By T.W.Kent - “The welfare state is one which provides a wide range of social service and security”.

•By Jawaharlal Nehru - “welfare state regards want, disease , ignorance, squalor and idleness as 5 great enemies of the people and wants to give them a fight and destroy them”.

•By G.D.H.Cole - “The welfare state is a society in which an assured minimum standard of living and opportunity becomes the possession of every citizen”.

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