Final answer:
The welfare state is a government system that provides economic and social support to citizens, ensuring equal opportunity and assistance for those in need. It includes policies for healthcare, education, and minimum income measures, often funded by redistribution of tax revenue. The concept is aligned with ensuring social justice and protecting those least advantaged in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term welfare state refers to a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on principles of equal opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life. Social welfare policies are typically enacted to assist individuals through services such as healthcare, education, housing, and a guaranteed minimum income. Underlying the welfare state is the belief that all citizens have certain rights, including the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being. This encompasses not only those willing and able to work but also those who are unable due to various reasons such as age, disability, or unemployment. The mechanisms for providing welfare include the redistribution of funds collected through taxation to provide benefits to individuals based on need or other eligibility requirements. According to political philosopher John Rawls, social and economic inequalities should be arranged to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged, and positions of privilege should be open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. The welfare state aims to safeguard individuals from poverty and provide basic securities that can align with communitarian or egalitarian ideals. The Poverty situation in a state can often influence the extent and type of welfare provisions available.