Problem
Deficiencies in the welfare state
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Unequal distribution of social services Nature:
The modern welfare state is not able to deliver its services equitably, partly due to the inherent problem that the provision of social services creates the demand for them. Therefore social services to the aged, the disabled, to parentless children, to the sick, to the handicapped, to the unemployed and others, are overwhelmed by applicants' numbers. In addition, there are the inevitable bureaucratic inefficiencies that create distortions and slowdowns in the distribution of services. Other factors of a sinister, if not criminal, nature are corruption among civil servants, and discrimination against applicants based on ethnicity, language, age, religion, political party, gender or other bases. Government policy may also be to erode public welfare in order to save money for militarization.
Incidence:
It is reckoned that there have been more than 50 changes in benefits for the unemployed in the UK over the decade up to 1993, with the cuts generally larger for those on the lowest incomes. The real value of the unemployment benefit for a married couple with two children had fallen by nearly 20% between 1979 and 1990. Benefit has been withdrawn from 16 and 17-year olds and income support for 18-25 year olds reduced.
Broader Problems:
DeficiencySocial insecurityInadequate social welfare servicesIneffective delivery of basic human resource services Narrower Problems:
Custodial democracyDependence on social welfareSegregation in social servicesCollapsing social security systemRestricted state support of the familyDenial of adequate medical care to skilled labour Related Problems:
Distortionary tax systems Aggravates:
Underprivileged minoritiesDecline in civic participationDecline in civic participationDeterioration of living standards of workers Reduces:
Rising cost of unemployment benefits Strategies:
Improving welfare stateReducing inequality of social security coveragePreserving inequality of social security coverage References:
Van Driel, G J; Hartog, J A and Van Ravenzwaaij, C: Limits to the Welfare StateHardy, G: Doom of the Welfare SocietyOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: The Welfare State in CrisisUnited Nations Economic Commission for Europe: Personal and Collective Services: an international perspective Subject(s):
Government → Nation state??Social Activity → Social services??
Social Activity → Welfare??
Societal Problems → Deprivation??
Societal Problems → Imbalances??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
C: Cross-sectoral problems Date of last update
17.04.2019 – 14:11 CEST