New Delhi: The welfare state, a concept deeply ingrained in modern socio-political discourse, has undergone significant evolution since its inception. Initially designed as a mechanism to mitigate the stark realities of poverty and social inequity, the welfare state has transformed into a multifaceted system, addressing complex societal challenges and aiming to enhance the overall quality of life for citizens. This evolution is not merely a chronicle of policy changes but reflects a deeper philosophical and ideological journey, shaped by economic theories, political movements, and societal needs.
The nascent stages of the welfare state were characterised by rudimentary interventions aimed at providing basic support to those deemed deserving. This period was marked by a moralistic approach to poverty, where welfare was contingent upon the perceived worthiness of individuals, often leading to stigmatisation and exclusion. The English Poor Laws exemplify this early model, embodying a paternalistic stance towards poverty alleviation, focusing more on moral correction than addressing systemic causes.
The philosophical landscape during this period was dominated by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, who conceptualised the state’s role primarily in terms of maintaining order and protecting individual liberties. However, this limited view of the state’s responsibilities began to shift with the emergence of more progressive thinkers. John Rawls’ landmark work, “A Theory of Justice,” introduced the principles of justice as fairness, advocating for societal structures that benefit the least advantaged, thus laying the groundwork for a more equitable approach to welfare. In stark contrast, Robert Nozick’s libertarian perspective, as articulated in ‘Anarchy, State, and Utopia,’ challenged the notion of redistributive justice, emphasising minimal state intervention and the sanctity of individual rights.
As welfare states evolved, distinct models emerged, shaped by regional, cultural, and economic factors. Esping-Andersen’s ‘The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism’ offers a comprehensive taxonomy, delineating between liberal, conservative, and social democratic regimes. The Nordic countries, often cited as exemplars of the social democratic model, have developed a welfare system characterised by extensive universal benefits, a strong emphasis on gender equality, and active labour market participation. This model contrasts with the conservative regimes of Continental Europe, where welfare provisions are closely tied to employment status and family-based support systems play a significant role.
The evolution of the Indian welfare state presents a narrative distinct from its Western counterparts, marked by an unique integration of developmental agendas and social welfare objectives. Initially, the Indian welfare model was not primarily designed to offset market-induced inequalities but was rooted in the broader context of post-independence nation-building, characterised by a strong emphasis on developmental and socialist ideals. This approach reflected an interventionist stance by the state, where welfare initiatives were geared more towards complementing developmental goals rather than acting as standalone solutions. The focus was on addressing structural inequalities prevalent in society, such as those related to land ownership and access to basic services, rather than merely providing relief against market failures.
The discourse around the welfare state in India has predominantly revolved around questions of efficiency and the economic implications of state-led welfare schemes, contrasting with Western debates that often engage with deontological theories of rights and the moral obligations of the state towards its citizens. In India, welfare has traditionally been viewed as a pragmatic response to societal needs rather than an entitlement rooted in a rights-based framework. This perspective has fostered a paternalistic role for the state in welfare provision, where the emphasis has been more on addressing immediate needs through discretionary measures rather than establishing a robust framework of social rights and entitlements.
Over the years, the Indian welfare state has evolved amidst a complex interplay of economic liberaliation, political shifts, and social movements advocating for more inclusive and equitable development models. The early phases of economic reforms in the 1990s marked a significant transition towards liberal market policies, which necessitated a rethinking of the welfare paradigm. This period witnessed a gradual shift towards targeted welfare schemes aimed at protecting the most vulnerable sections of society, as seen in the introduction of the National Social Assistance Program (NSAP). The subsequent years saw further expansion of the welfare agenda, underscored by the adoption of rights-based legislations like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the National Food Security Act, which aimed to provide more structured and legally enforceable welfare benefits to the marginalized populations. This evolution reflects a continuous balancing act between the state’s developmentalist impulses and the growing recognition of the need for a more rights-oriented approach to welfare in the face of India’s diverse and complex social fabric.
Post-2014, India has adopted a New Welfarism approach. India’s “New Welfarism” represents a transformative approach that significantly diverges from traditional welfare models by focusing on the direct provision of essential goods and services to the population. This paradigm shift is underpinned by a series of policy initiatives that are not merely welfare-oriented but are deeply integrated into the broader fabric of economic and social development. The distribution of bank accounts, cooking gas, toilets, electricity, housing, water, and direct cash transfers, particularly with an emphasis on empowering women and supporting marginalised communities, marks a deliberate move towards making the dividends of India’s economic growth accessible to all. This approach not only addresses the immediate needs of the population but also fosters a more inclusive economic environment by ensuring that the benefits of development are equitably shared across different segments of society, thus bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots in a rapidly growing economy.
The success of New Welfarism in India is largely attributable to the innovative integration of technological and administrative innovations that have revolutionized the delivery of welfare services. The Aadhaar identification system, a cornerstone of this new approach, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of welfare programs. By minimizing leakages and ensuring that subsidies and benefits reach their intended recipients, Aadhaar has been instrumental in streamlining processes and reducing the bureaucratic hurdles that previously impeded the effective delivery of welfare services. This technological infrastructure not only eliminates duplicates and fake beneficiaries through biometric and demographic verification but also optimizes the allocation of resources, leading to substantial savings for the government and a more efficient disbursement system. The expansion of Aadhaar coverage, coupled with initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana, has facilitated Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), bypassing intermediaries and significantly reducing corruption in the transfer of funds for large-scale welfare schemes.
The long-term impact of New Welfarism in India is profound, with initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission not only addressing immediate needs but also contributing to sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life. The Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing piped drinking water to every rural household, and the Swachh Bharat Mission’s focus on improving sanitation and reducing open defecation have had notable effects on public health and cognitive outcomes for children. These initiatives demonstrate the holistic nature of New Welfarism, which goes beyond the provision of basic services to address the root causes of poverty and undernutrition, thereby laying the foundation for a healthier, more educated, and economically productive population. The integration of technology, community engagement, and a focus on sustainable development underlines the transformative potential of New Welfarism to reshape the landscape of welfare and development in India, ensuring a more equitable and prosperous future for all its citizens.
I term the conceptual framework of this new welfarism as Integrated Welfare Empowerment Model (IWEM). It represents a significant departure from traditional welfare paradigms and neoliberal governance models. At its core, IWEM prioritizes the direct provision of essential services and goods, ensuring inclusivity and targeting the needs of marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on women’s empowerment. This model underscores the active role of the state in welfare distribution, diverging from market-centric approaches that often overlook the most vulnerable sections of society. A hallmark of IWEM is its strategic integration of technological innovations to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of welfare programs, exemplified by the Aadhaar system. This technological backbone streamlines the delivery of services, minimizes leakages, and ensures that the benefits reach their intended recipients.
Additionally, IWEM emphasizes the importance of behavioural change and community engagement, fostering a participatory governance culture that empowers citizens to partake actively in developmental processes. The model also adopts a long-term perspective, focusing on sustainable development and human capital enhancement, thereby ensuring that welfare initiatives contribute to lasting improvements in the quality of life and overall societal well-being. Through this multifaceted approach, IWEM seeks to redefine welfare provision in India, making it more inclusive, effective, and aligned with the broader goals of sustainable development and equitable growth.
The trajectory of the welfare state from its early incarnations to the contemporary model of New Welfarism encapsulates a complex interplay of philosophical debates, policy evolutions, and societal transformations. This journey reflects a deepening understanding of the multifaceted nature of poverty, inequality, and social well-being. The contemporary focus on direct, technology-enabled interventions, exemplified by the New Welfarism approach in India, highlights a significant shift towards policies that provide immediate relief and aim for long-term sustainable development. This holistic approach, emphasizing empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainable development, offers valuable insights for the future evolution of welfare states globally, underscoring the potential of innovative policy frameworks to address the enduring challenges of inequality and social exclusion in an increasingly complex world.
The author is OSD, Research, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. Views are personal. He tweets @adityasinha004.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone. The opinions and facts in this article do not represent the stand of News9.)
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Rami G Khouri
Mort Laitner
Donald Low
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
visit website
