Comparing Welfare Provision in Germany and England
"Our state reduces more and more its responsibility to provide welfare
among the people". This is a statement that you can hear very often
saying Germans about their welfare state in comparison with other
welfare systems, as for instance the English system.
This essay examines the similarities and differences between the
German and the English welfare provision focusing on the extent to
which this provision is provided. To understand the appropriacy and
to discuss the extent of the provision it is helpful, firstly, to
start with a brief definition of how these countries define a welfare
state, and proceed with the different models that we encounter in
Germany and in the UK. We continue with comparing and contrasting the
extent of welfare provision in both countries. Since this is a wide
area to discuss we concentrate on special provisions for instance the
unemployment benefits and health care, since they are considered most
relevant to the societies. Related to this analysis, we then highlight
the appropriacy of the provision in the twenty first century.
Finally, we come to the conclusion that the extent of the provision
in both countries is similarly extensive but differs in the amount to
which benefits and services are delivered. Furthermore, the
argumentation will show that the appropriacy of welfare provision is
needed, more than ever with regard to globalization and poverty.
In general a welfare state is concerned with the welfare that the
citizens are provided by their governments. Countries implement social
and welfare policies to provide more social security and oppo...
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/bitesize/higher/modern/uksociety/income_wealth1_rev.shtml
* Claudia Braczko. (20/09/2004). Arbeitsmarktreformen in England und
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* IWB online. (23/09/1996). Kohl government axes German welfare state.
Retrieved December 26, 2004, from
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* Pieter van Houten. (10/11/ 2004). The welfare state in crisis?.
Retrieved December 27, 2004, from
http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/~pjv24/pol4-handout-I9.htm
* The Robert Gordon University. An introduction to social policy.
Retrieved December 27, 2004, from http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy/
1 21/11/04 (http://www.statistics.gov.uk/)
2 21/11/04 (http://www.destatis.de/indicators/d/arb210ad.htm)
The history of welfare systems dates back to ancient China and Rome, some of the first institutions known to have established some form of a welfare system. In both of these nations, their governments created projects to provide food and aid to poor, unemployed, or unable families and individuals, however these were based on “moral responsibility.” Later in history, in 1500’s England, parliament passed laws that held the monarchy responsible for providing assistance to needy families by providing jobs and financial aid. These became known as “poor laws” (Issitt).
The Nordic welfare state is famous around the world and especially social democrats cite Sweden when they try to push a new policy in their own country. It developed during the 20th century and started with ‘folkhemmet’ (the people’s home). A home in a good condition was seen as the basis for the well-being of the people and the state.
This mini-paper will discuss the social welfare system. The mini-paper includes a discussion of welfare Policy, residual and institutional approach, and what is Social Welfare and Social Security. Midgely, (2009), pointed out that social welfare systems deliver services that facilitate and empower our society, especially to those persons who require assistance in meeting their basic human needs. The goal of social welfare is to provide social services to citizens from diverse cultures, and examples include Medicare, Medicaid, and food benefits. Midgley,( 2009).
Linda Gordon's article is thoughtful, insightful and highly relevant. As governments slash poverty relief programs at all levels and as welfare-bashing reaches an all-time high, it is instructive to take a step back and look at how the current system developed.
O?Beirne, Kate. ?The State of Welfare: An old and tricky question resurfaces.? National Review 54.2 (February 11, 2002): 1--2. Online. Information Access Expanded
The underscoring concept to social work practice the pursuit towards a socially just society. Social workers serve the purpose of enriching society by enhancing social justice and eliminating social oppression. Mandates and mission statements support these objectives within social service agencies both in for profit and nonprofit sectors. One thing that every social service agency has in common is the overarching ideology that shapes the society they serve and more specifically, ideology influences the way an agency can conduct its services. Philosophy in most cases only goes as far as policy allows it too. This paper will examine the similarities and differences from western child welfare policy in the United States (US) and look outwards at international trends of practice and policy in Finland and Germany. In order to develop effective policy that meets society’s needs, it’s important to analysis other countries child welfare policies and gain an understanding of what is making a difference in child welfare practice around the world.
For many years, private charities, along with local governments, have cared for the poor through a multitude of economic security programs. These programs comprised the welfare state that sought to enact policies (after the Great Depression) in order to promote economic security for all Americans.
Welfare is a federally funded program that provides health care, food stamps, child care assistance, unemployment, cash aid, and housing that is under the umbrella of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Per Welfare Information, eligibility is determined by net income, family size, and any crisis situation such as: pregnancy, homelessness, and unemployment. TANF also requires the recipient to obtain employment within two years of receiving help (2014). A majority of the monies that support Welfare come from taxes paid by the working class and donations from private companie...
Blau, J. (2004). The dynamics of social welfare policy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc.
Magoon, Kekla. The Welfare Debate. Edina: ABDO Publishing Company, Inc. 2009. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. Print.
The idea of a welfare state was created from a misguided desire to gain social equality. This created a society dependent on the government, but with encouragement of individualism this dependence will be removed. The ideological perspective of the author is neoconservative, which in the message the author is trying to suggest that individuals in a welfare state will become dependent on the government to provide them with programs and initiatives. The author believes a state should not be involved within the economy and should encourage individualism. This is shown when the author says “a culture dependency on the state has emerged” and “only in a state that promotes individualism will such dependency be eliminated”. This relates to liberalism because of how it promotes self interest and self reliance compared to collective well being, this is shown when the author says “ only in a state that promotes individualism will such dependency be eliminated”. Society should rather embrace and develop the idea of a welfare state, which can improve and become beneficial to the state.
Welfare can be defined as health, happiness, and good fortune; well-being; Prosperity; and Financial or other aid provided, especially by the government, to people in need (Merriam-Webster, 2014). It can be very beneficial to people in need of it. Tim Prenzler stated that, “Welfare systems are often seen as providing a ‘safety net’ that prevents citizens falling below a minimum standard of living (2012, p2). Everyone is able to use is if they are in need of it. People have successfully used welfare to get out of their slum, and started to support themselves. Others have decided to not try to get out of that slum, and live off that welfare. They decided that they didn’t have to try, and let the government support them. Welfare is a good tool for people to get back on their feet, but shouldn’t be that persons steady income.
No two welfare states, or welfare systems are the same, all of them are unique. They are all run differently, and offer different benefits for different costs to their citizens. All welfare systems in a way create a class system based on who uses the welfare provided and who does, who has access to the social programs in place and who has no access. When one doctor and one patient, in 2005, challenged the Québec Health Insurance Act and the Hospital Insurance Act to allow private health care in Québec they changed the potential of the Canadian universal health care system. President Barack Obama is currently making a very serious attempt to bring a successful universal health care to the United States of America, which will drastically change the lives of Americans, as well as the American welfare system entirely. Interestingly the changes that were fought for in 2005 in Canada would result in creating a gap between people who could afford better health care and the others who could not, yet the changes that President Obama is fighting tooth and nail to create will, if effective narrow the gap between those who have access to health care and those who do not. It seems that some middle ground is trying to be found between the two countries.
We must work for it ourselves and strive for greatness by pursuing our own self interest. By relying on the state, our success will be directly proportional to theirs. Once their success crashes, so will ours. An example that greatly depicts this perspective is the “Grest Leap Forward” in China in 1958. This idea was meant to develop and expant China’s agriculture and industry. For this to work, China adapted a collectivist idea called “communes” where a group of people work as one and share responsibilities. They no longer worked for themselves but worked as a collective. The idea of a welfare state is similar to what the government was able to provide its people. Essential needs such as health care, schools, nurseries were all provided. Elderls were taken care of so that all those who could work were able to work. However, as great as it may sound, consequences were met. The government crashed and the people could no longer support themselves since they gave everything that they owned up. Over 40 million people died. Eventhough this example is extreme, it illustrates the idea that collectivism creates a domino affect in an economy. Once the wall in whcih everyone is leaning on, falls down, everyone falls with
Based on the a article “The Definition of Social Policy” my understanding of social welfare policy is law and rules that are set in place to develop the lives of people in the community and allow them to thrive. Social welfare is not only about programs and benefits provided by the government to assist disadvantaged groups. It is far more complex than that as Midgley states “This narrow meaning fails to capture the original significance of the term,