Welfare State

The term welfare state was originally applied to Britain during the Second World
War. After the war the term came into popular usage, as a convenient way of
referring to the social and economic policy changes taking place, which according
to those sponsoring them, would transform British society.
There were these main services provided by the Welfare State:
1) The direction and extension of a range of social services, including social
security. The National Health Services, Education, Housing, Employment service
ahd welfare services for elderly and disabled people and for deprived children.
2) The maintenance of full employment as the paramount aim and policy.
3) A Program of Nationalization.
It was these three strands together which constituted the welfare State.
As a response to mass democracy, the welfare state can be viewed as stemming
from demands for greater eqdty and recognition of social rights to welfare services
and socio-economic security.
As in India, the picture of a 'democratic republic' which the preamble envisages
is the democratic system not only from the political but also from the social
sdndpoint. In other words, it envisages not only a democratic form of Government
but also a democratic society, infbsed with the spirit of 'justice, liberty, equality and
hternity ' .
This democratic republic which stands for the good of all the people is embodied
in the concept of a 'Welfare State' which inspires the Directive Principles of State
Policy.