WELFARE STATE

Welfare State

Abstract

The Second World War had tremendous effects on the world, which led to the development of the welfare state in 1945. Beveridge's report about combating five giants played a key role in the success of the welfare state.

Table of Contents

Introduction2

Discussion3

Impact of the Second World War3

Key reasons for the development of the welfare state3

Beveridge's five giants5

Want5

Disease6

Idleness6

Ignorance6

Squalor6

How successful was the welfare state?7

Conclusion8

Welfare State

Introduction

The welfare state is a set of programs of government, established for the welfare of the citizens in times of emergency in the individualized, industrialized and modern society. All the welfare states ensure the providence of social assistance in the form of cash and other kinds, such as social services and housing the poor. In addition, it also provides social insurance to encounter biological risks (such as inability to work, child birth, sickness, old age etc.) or occupational events (such as an accident, or unemployment causes some financial problems (Darity, 2008, pp. 67-76). The Second World War had its impacts on Britain, and there was an immediate need to build a welfare state to combat some major consequences of war. The State welfare activity contributed in places where there were social democratic governments such as Germany after the First World War and Britain after the Second World War (Merriman, et al, 2006, pp 2362).

Discussion

Impact of the Second World War

World War II had a huge impact on Britain and the rest of the world. Some of the major economic effects were that since several men went on a fight, so women substituted for them. The government took charge of the economy, e.g. in matters like whose occupation is what according to the Essential Works Order in 1941. There was a tremendous growth of arms and ammunition industries, while other industries were suspended (http://www.johndclare.net). The other effects were rationing especially of petrol and shortage of workers. When men from war returned, there was employment disruption. Another impact was accumulation of huge debts on government, especially to USA. The factories and houses were destroyed, because of which there was a requirement to build houses after the war. The productivity capacity of Britain dropped by 12%. The disturbance in the training and recruitment of employees had bad long term impact on the quality of workers in Britain. The workers were unwilling to deal with the conditions and demanded better wages and conditions. This led to innumerable strikes and trade unions (http://www.johndclare.net).

Key reasons for the development of the welfare state

Before the Second World War, the state provided some welfare services like compulsory elementary education and electric, gas water and transport. In 1905-8, the Campbell Bannerman and in 1908-16, Asquinth laid the basis of the welfare state. Up to 1939, however, the welfare was just for the poor community. It was the advent of Second World War, which gave birth to the requirement of enlarged role of the welfare state.

When the Second World War ended, issues stated above were born and there was an immediate need to address ...