The Welfare State in Europe
Introduction
The process of formation and consolidation of the welfare state in Europe and in the United States is useful for appreciating the gradual transformation of liberal states to welfare states. As Claudio appointed, through the process of consolidating the welfare state we can observe the change that occurs in societies. We could talk specifically from the United Kingdom. The passage of a liberal state to a welfare state is produced at the beginning of the 20th century because of the outbreak of a Labor Party.
Developing
The labor movement began to obtain more strength which in turn caused the appearance of a pension system along with disease insurance and mandatory unemployment. This fact in turn caused the consolidation of what we know today as Social Security, thanks to the presentation of the famous Beveridge reports in the British Parliament during World War II. Later following Claudio we observe that he names another country, in this case Germany.
With respect to this case we could say that Claudio defines that country as a predictable subject, that is, that others are anticipated. This reflection is due to the fact that Germany was the first country in which an authoritarian regime anticipated the needs of society, that is, a social security system established before 1900. Regarding this country, we can highlight the figure of Otto von Bismarck, since it promulgated three laws.
These respond to the demands of the working society, the pressure of the churches and political groups as the author appoints. These social laws consisted of disease insurance. Insurance against accidents at work and finally, insurance against disability and old age. In this way it could be implied that the State took charge of its citizens, promoting a feeling of common help. On the other hand, we can point out a country that the author adds, in this case it is Sweden.
It is important to emphasize that social security benefits were uni-section and mandatory nature. Finally, regarding this characterization of some country we will emphasize the Spanish case. In the first place, it seems important to point out a reflection that Francisco Comín makes based on the fact that the nature of a state can be known by analyzing what money does and through which taxes generates money, that is, how he obtains it and in which he isSwallow.
According to the previously mentioned author, in the event that the State itself invested the money collected in classical functions, such as maintaining public order and justice would be a liberal state, while, if the State spent the money obtained in redistributing therent and leave a small portion of said money collected dedicated to the previously mentioned classical functions would be a welfare state. As Francisco Comín points out, the Spanish hacienda has been gradually evolving due to European fiscal events.
conclusion
During the twentieth century we can distinguish three stages: during 1900 and 1935 a farm characterized by being between the liberal state and the welfare state was consolidated. The second stage corresponds to the period 1940 and 1954 marked by a budget setback because of the self-supply policy imposed during the Franco dictatorship. Subsequently we find another stage located between 1959 and 1975 marked by the increase in transitional functions. Finally, we find the victory of democracy and with it the consequent establishment of the welfare state.
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