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Social Welfare

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What is ‘social welfare’?

Social welfare is a nation’s system of programs, benefits and services that help meet the psychological, social, and economic needs that are fundamental to the well-being of individuals and society (Macarov 1995).

Macarov’s definition is in some senses so broad that it lacks clarity. For instance, Macarov refers to social welfare as a ‘nation’s system’ rather than a ‘government’s system’. If it includes any program, benefit or service that helps meet human needs then is that a system? The word ‘system’ suggests that it is organised or structured. The term ‘nation’s system’ introduces uncertainty into what is included and what, if anything is excluded.

Now it terms of meeting needs, Macarov classifies social welfare as meeting psychological, social and economic needs that are fundamental to well-being. Is the argument here that, social welfare meets psychological, social and economic needs because they are all fundamental to well-being or is Macarov implying that social welfare only has to meet a fundamental or basic level of psychological, social and economic needs? The use of the word ‘fundamental’ in this context is rather equivocal. The wording of the definition makes the reader perplexed and drives him/her into a journey of reflection and contemplation to try to figure which of these alternatives Macarov is actually proposing.

Macarov’s inclusion of psychological, social and economic needs is I believe a very broad but vague proposition. Under a broad definition of ‘need’, it is hard to imagine what could be excluded, but if he has in mind a definition of ‘need’ as something opposed to luxury, then he should construct an objective and clear idea of where need ends and luxury begins. It is not at all certain if the aim of social welfare is to reach just an adequate level of well-being or whether the aim is to live a good or

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