Open AccessWelfare state: Evolution of an idea
Author(s) -
Natalija Perišić
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
sociologija
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.174
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 2406-0712
pISSN - 0038-0318
DOI - 10.2298/soc0802207p
Subject(s) - welfare state , scope (computer science) , state (computer science) , social security , welfare , population , perspective (graphical) , sociology , inclusion (mineral) , capitalism , social welfare , economics , political economy , economic system , neoclassical economics , political science , market economy , social science , law , politics , demography , algorithm , artificial intelligence , computer science , programming language
Originating from the so-called 'care of the poor', with substantially modified functions in later periods (which in turn determined its scope), the contemporary welfare state is currently at a crossroads, after the profound influence it exerted on the transformation of 20th century capitalism. Changes in conditions and circumstances in which it operates, in resources at its disposal, and in social forces defending it raise a number of questions regarding its survival. This in turn has consequences on the (achieved and future) level of social security of the population, and on the humanization of their living and working conditions. The emancipator potential of the welfare state, from the perspective of pursuing the goals of social inclusion, derives from the view that difficulties people in society are facing are not problems to be solved just by the individual and his/her family but which also demand complementary involvement of the state