Social welfare are services and programs offered by the state to benefit its citizens and protect them from economic risks. However, within the past 150 years, the system of social welfare has changed radically due to events that have occurred throughout our history. Social welfare is a highly debated topic and has many ideologies attached to it such as Liberalism (The Reluctant Collectivists), Conservatism (The Anti-Collectivists), Socialism (The Fabian Socialists) and Marxism. These ideologies differ but offer something unique which allows people to choose what is convenient for themselves. Personally, my ideologies lie towards Liberalism and The Reluctant Collectivists beliefs because I want the gap between the rich and the poor to decrease. I agree that the government should not have the right to decide how the income of such a large amount of people is spent and that more jobs should be created for those near the poverty line to have a stable economy and a happier society (Turner & Turner, 25). That being said, there will always be some form of inequality amongst humans due to social structures and norms in society. Through this standpoint, I will be examining the three articles that have been given. .
Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising by OECD is the article I agree with since it stated that the gap between the rich and poor is growing. It also follows a Liberalism view because the government provides opportunities to people that are not given a chance. The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett follow a Socialism view and talks about an egalitarian perspective which means all humans are equal and states that greater inequality makes the government pay for more services. The Canadian dream is well within reach by Amelia Karabegovic & Charles Lammam follows a Conservatism view and states that many Canadians are able to "climb" up the income ladder and that low income is a stepping stone.