Abstract
The chapter explores the origin of social welfare policies in welfare states in Western democratic countries. It traces the state of poverty in most Western democracies before the Great Depression of 1930s, and states' interventions with welfare social assistance programs previously handled by communities, churches, and charitable organizations. The chapter, therefore, examines the historical context of social welfare policy, the nature of the welfare state regime, modern welfare state approaches to social welfare policy, and the market and global economies and the welfare state.
TopHistorical Approaches Of Welfare
However, 1500, English society was experiencing a dramatic economic, political and social transformation. The feudal system had declined and feudal relationships that bound serf and lord were giving way (Reid, 1995). At the same time although most of the population continued to make their living in agriculture, many small industries, particularly textiles were beginning to develop. In addition, a stratum of society made up of tradesmen and merchants was emerging in which position was based on profession rather than birth. Contracts that specified number of hours to be worked or product to be delivered, rather than status such as that of a lord or serf, increasingly defined the relationships among the parties. Unlike farming which was located primarily in small villages, the emerging industries were concentrated in the growing numbers of