Essay on The United States The Reluctant Welfare State

The United States is often referred to as a ‘reluctant welfare state.’ There are various reasons for this description. One of the primary reasons for this is the differences and diversity of the political parties which are the motivating forces that control government. The Liberal Party, for instance supports government safety nets and social service programs for those in need. â€Å"Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all.† (Studentnews, 2006) They believe it is the responsibility of government to ensure that the needs of all citizens are met, and to intervene to solve problems. The responsibility of government is to alleviate social ills, to protect civil liberties and sustain individual†¦show more content†¦Supposedly, established to thwart the experience of dire poverty for most Americans upon retirement, in reality it is an income transfer program whereby the comparatively rich subsidize the poor, the widowed, the orphaned, and the disabled. However, Conservatives do support social welfare services to the most susceptible members of American society. â€Å"But conservatives believe that the most effective way to provide assistance is at the level of the individual states, in conjunction with private, for-profit, market-driven and not-for profit non-governmental organizations, and through faith-based social service programs.† (Studentnews, 2006) Conservatives believe that welfare programs should not be funded solely based on ‘need,’ but the costs and effectiveness should be taken into effect. The terms liberal and conservative more widely apply to the Democratic Party, which generally upholds liberal principles and the Republican Party, which generally upholds conservative principles. It is this division of thinking between the Democrats and the Republicans that contributes to the United States being considered a reluctant welfare state. Throug hout history there have been shifts in power between the two parties. This transfer of power greatly impacts the rise and fall of our social service programs and policies. European countries have had welfare programs that are relatively stable; however, the AmericanShow MoreRelatedNature and Social problems1091 Words   |  5 Pagesemotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm† (Children Welfare Information Gateway, 2011). In 2012, it was estimated that 686,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States (ACF, 2012, p. 19). In 2008, there were approximately 704,714 unique victims from reporting states and in 2012 there were approximately 678, 810 (ACF, 2012, p. 19). The impact of child abuse and neglect is endured by the victimsRead MoreEssay about Labour Market Inflexibility in Europe1317 Words   |  6 PagesLabour market inflexibility in Europe is the main reason why Europe is not as dynamic an economy as the United States† Critically discuss. â€Å"Labour market inflexibility in Europe is the main reason why Europe is not as dynamic an economy as the United States† In not more than 2500 words and not less than 1500, critically discuss the above statement. Introduction Today labour markets in Europe and the USA are often compared and discussed. The general view seems to be that the US hasRead MoreDomestic Violence Against Women Act910 Words   |  4 PagesOver the years, the numbers of reported cases of domestic violence gained stable growth prompting social activists and legislators to draw stiff measures to counter the problem. About one in four women are affected by domestic violence in the United States. The Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that at least four-hundred and seven-thousand incidents of domestic violence crimes were committed in the year 2010 alone. This also excludes all domestic violence cases, which resulted in mortality.Read MoreTo What Extent Has Modern Liberalism Departed from Classical Liberalism 40933 Words   |  4 Pagesliberals have not stayed true to initial ideas posed by the likes of John Locke given that modern liberals have embraced collectivism while classical liberals favoured pure individualism. But they are fundamentally both forms of liberalism so are united in their b elief of freedom and rights of the individual but they have slightly different views on the type of freedom they support. Classical liberalism has a belief in utilitarianism first posed by Jeremy Bentham, this is where individuals makeRead MoreYou Can Lead a Horse to Water, but You Cant Make It Drink1482 Words   |  6 Pagesnot all the need to help another might seem urgent in times such as drug addiction, financial problems, or a troubled marriage. The help being received is not always welcomed with open hands. A person can get helped by many others, but if they are reluctant to change their ways, Then there is no point in them being helped. This is stated in the adage â€Å"you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.† This adage comes to prove that there is no use in helping those who are comfortable withRead MoreFranklin D Roosevelt and the American Political System723 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿ The United States can be considered to be the result of its presidents and of the politics they undergone. Almost all the presidents of the United States are considered to have been leaders in their own times. From this point of view, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of the most influential and most powerful men in the history of the US. He led the United States out from a crisis the US would emerge victoriously and into a war it would win. The Great Depression and the period of the New DealRead MoreWoodrow Wilson s The League Of Nations1546 Words   |  7 Pagescountries back again. This lead the countries, mainly the ones involved in the war, into creating a treaty to secure the peace that they were craving for and also to punish Germany for being a spark to World War 1. Woodrow Wilson, the president of United States, in the meeting to creating the treaty, listed his famous fourteen points and through that he revealed the League of Nations. An association that was seeking to unite countries in the world and fight for world peace. The League of Nations wasRead MorePresident Of The United States1149 Words   |  5 Pagessome of them. During his first two terms in office, social security was extended to 10 million more citizens, the minimum wage was raised, and additional public housing was built. In 1953, Eisenhower consolidated welfare programs by creating the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) under Oveta Culp Hobby, the first woman in a Republican cabinet. For farmers, a solid-bank program was initiated as means of reducing farm production and thereby increasing farm income. On the other hand, EisenhowerRead MoreEssay about The Wide Spread Threats of Climate Change875 Words   |  4 Pageschanges. Climate change is often a localized issue. Many regions of the world will continue to become hotter, while others may experience highly variable weather patterns. Climate change poses a serious threat to ecosystems, economic sectors, and human welfare. Although almost entirely caused by the developed world, climate change will disproportionally affect the world’s poor. It is the responsibility of the developed world to change. They have the resources and technology to significantly curb emissionsRead MoreHomelessness As Positively Affected by the McKinney Act1436 Words   |  6 PagesPolicies Implemented For Homeless Many social welfare policies have been put into place throughout the course of history to attempt to deal with the ever present problem of homelessness. Starting at the first widespread attempt by the government with the implementation of the Elizabethan Poor Law, which placed the plight of the poor into the realm of responsibilities of the community; and serves as the very basis for our notion today of what welfare should be. It set apart the worthy and those deemed