The phrase "welfare state" is sometimes used by writers who don't seem to understand its original meaning. A "welfare state" is a country in which the government is responsible for taking care of everyone, from cradle to grave. In the United States, our government does take responsibility for some basic needs--such as elementary education and Social Security--but not others--such as health care. In a real "welfare state", the government would always be the employer of last resort ( the government would provide a job for anyone who didn't have one ). In a real "welfare state", the government would guarantee health benefits to everyone, and college to everyone who could pass the entrance exams. In a real "welfare state", the government would be paying for sick leave, maternity leave, and disability. Our government does not do these things.
No government has money that it didn't tax its citizens to get--so it's really up to the voters or the public in each country to decide how much "welfare" their government should provide.At least in a "welfare state", everyone would have the same benefits.
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