The Welfare State: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) 1st Edition by David Garland (Oxford University Press)

This short book deepens my understanding of the conceptions of welfare state which, however limited, usually refers to the welfare for the poor. Besides, the conceptions of welfare state also focus on social insurance, social rights and social services that are definitely duties of modern government. Thus, a board conception of welfare state should include the role that the government of the economy plays in every welfare state. On the other hand, Garland insists that ‘the welfare state lacks utopian ideals and a pantheon of heroic proponents. It was a product not of revolutionary idealism but of piecemeal reform and cross-class coalition.’ (P. 10) Therefore, ‘arguments for the welfare state are more often phrased as technocratic recipes than as impassioned ideals.’ (P. 10) In this sense, the idea of welfare state is ideologically-neutral. Instead of being ideologically-neutral, I think the idea of welfare state is ideologically-inspired or even ideologically-driven by the ideals of social democracy, a variant of socialism. Welfare states, though different in forms, pursue social policies and programs aiming at social equalities and harmonies.

Although welfare state is constantly under attack from both Left and Right, (on grounds of inadequacy or futility) I agree with Garland on the indispensability of welfare state. Modern capitalist economies are intrinsically unstable, insecure and unequal that often generate damaging consequences for our social and natural environments. In this regard, welfare state is a pragmatic framework of collective economic security, making capitalist economies socially and economically sustainable.

Welfare states vary across nations and change over time. And the balance between markets and government; free enterprise and social protection is perennially in question. But all developed societies have welfare states of one kind or another - they are a fundamental dimension of modern government. And even after decades of free-market criticism and reform, their core institutions have proven resilient and popular. 

This Very Short Introduction describes the modern welfare state, explaining its historical and contemporary significance and arguing that far from being 'a failure' or 'a problem', welfare states are an essential element of contemporary capitalism, and a vital concomitant of democratic government. In this accessible and entertaining account, David Garland cuts through the fog of misunderstandings to explain in clear and simple terms, what welfare states are, how they work, and why they matter.

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