Governments Need to Take Responsibility for Taking Care of Their People

By: Ian Goldberg.

According to the United Nations, one billion people live on less than $1.25 per day. Here in America we enjoy a vast system of both social security and welfare, which provide subsidies for food, childcare, and sometimes even healthcare to those who need it or would otherwise be unable to provide for themselves or their families. However in many countries today, there is no welfare or social security system in place for their citizens, and thus their quality of life greatly deteriorates and they become so desperate that they will do anything just to get by.

If we look at an extreme example, where the government provides absolutely no assistance to those who live in such poverty, we can look to many third world countries in Africa and Asia. For one micro example, In Bangladesh, the poorest citizens often work in awful conditions breaking apart condemned container ships for less than $2 a day. They work for around 10 hours a day with no shoes or safety equipment cutting apart ships and harvesting the scrap metal. The job is hazardous and child labour is common. These people take these jobs because otherwise they will have no way to support themselves and their families. They are worried about losing their jobs because there are many people desperate for work that will take their place.

On the right are Bangladeshi workers breaking apart a ship in Chittagong. If they had access to welfare or social security, they would not have to work in these conditions out of pure necessity. They would have the freedom and opportunity to succeed if they were provided some sort of social assistance or Welfare.

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Above are the percentage of populations living on less than 2$ a day

(Source : World Bank)

Among the poorest citizens of 74 developing countries in which social welfare was implemented, 36% escaped extreme poverty, According to The World Bank. This shows (at least temporarily) social welfare can uplift the poorest citizens out of their desolate situations, and provide them the opportunity to further themselves economically.

“In a volatile world there is strong evidence that social safety net programs can help to build the resilience of poor families and reduce their poverty, making them a vital instrument for the rapid development of countries,” says Annette Dixon, Vice president for human development at the World Bank,

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To the left are the absolute poverty rates in countries both before and after the introduction of welfare. (International Monetary fund)

Taking inspiration from some of the most successful welfare states, the better systems all have a few things in common. They all enact universal policies in which the non-poor are included and all citizens hold a stake in the tax system. And they include a “social floor” that protects all members of society. Extreme poverty only ended in these countries after the creation of the modern welfare states during the post World War 2 period, and when all citizens were included in the social welfare system. This prevents a stigma situated around the idea of social security, as it is something that everyone receives and pays into rather than a solution only for the poor or desperate. According to Arthur Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute.

Social welfare is not often seen as a basic human necessity, but it provides a foundation for which all citizens have the opportunity to lead dignified and successful lives. All citizens should have access to social welfare as a basic human right.