EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY

European Social Policy

The European Social Policy

Introduction

The word social policy pertains to the conduct of an authority over societal level. Policy stands for conduct following principles whereas social refers to anything encompassing the society. Theorists believe that there's no explicit definition of social policy. However (Titmuss 1974, p.7) attributes three key attributes of social policy, that is, social policies are favourable for public, they include all the objectives regarding benefit of the masses, and finally equitable distribution of resources amongst the society. Professor Hagenbuch defines social policy as the ambition to assure that everyone in a society has certain benefits. Each citizen has relieves and opportunities (Titmuss 1974, p.7). In the European context; social policy is a wide concern encompassing all the aspects that assure individuals' well being. (Social Policy 2007, p.32). In 2005, all EU member countries spent 28% of their net GDP on social well being precisely social welfare (Social Policy 2007, p.32).

The paper discusses the tremendous development of the European Welfare State system during 20th century. After the industrial revolution the European continent developed a well-integrated welfare state system. European social policy has services, health, agriculture, education, gender equality, employment, industry, environment and other major social concern affecting an individual (Europa.eu). The paper attempts to discuss the welfare state system in a capitalistic economy as per the theories of Esping-Anderson. It discusses all theories and picks up the most influential theory for Europe's welfare state system up to date.

Discussion

The evolution of European welfare State

The common concept of social welfare is at the heart of social policy, social welfare is a broad context, it can be classified as the material aspect of social policy, it includes the initiatives government takes for both individual and societal well being (Mau & Verwiebe, 2010, n.d). Welfare state system is any model that develops integrated institution devoted in assuring welfare and social protection of masses (Titmuss 1974, p.7).

The development of European welfare state was due to the postcommunist time by the late 90's decade. The social policy developments that took place in the decade of 90's are more like that of Thatcher's Model from the United Kingdom (Welfare state formation, 2008). To combat socialism and to prove capitalistic system as a concerned economy towards labour class, Europe accelerated its efforts and social protection course leading to high wages and optimum social security services (Titmuss 1974, p.7). Following the horrific downfall of state socialism, the European welfare system stood on two basic premises, that is, the superiority of the capitalistic system, and the politics of a welfare state to enroot democracy as the most viable governing system. The European social policy is as under:

To examine the enormous development of European welfare state structure, the following are the key reason for its evolution

1.Industrialization: it shows that policies concerning democracy and bureaucratic motives as the evolution of European social policy. (Gough 2005, p.6) It states that since Europe was facing sound economic growth, therefore, the social spending also mounted and welfare system ...