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| − | There are three main interpretations of the idea of a '''welfare state''':
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| − | * the provision of welfare services by the [[state]].
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| − | * an [[Idealism|ideal]] model in which the state assumes primary responsibility for the [[well-being|welfare]] of its [[citizen]]s. This responsibility in theory ought to be comprehensive{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, because all aspects of welfare are considered and universally applied to citizens as a right. 'Welfare state' can also mean the creation of a "safety net" of minimum standards{{Fact|date=February 2007}} of varying forms of welfare. Here is found some confusion between a "welfare state" and a "welfare society" (see below) in common debate about the definition of the term.
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| − | * the provision of welfare in society. In many "welfare states", especially in continental Europe, welfare is not actually provided by the state, but by a combination of independent, voluntary, mutualist and government services. The functional provider of benefits and services may be a [[central government|central]] or [[state government]], a state-sponsored company or agency, a private [[corporation]], a [[Charitable organization|charity]] or another form of non-profit organisation. However, this phenomenon has been more appropriately termed a "welfare society," and the term "welfare system" has been used to describe the range of welfare state and welfare society mixes that are found.<ref name="gould1993">{{cite book |last= Gould |first= Arthur |title= Capitalist Welfare Systems |year= 1993|publisher= Longman |location= New York |id= ISBN 0-582-08349-4 }}</ref>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | {{reflist}}
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| − | [[Category:Politics]]
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