There are many ways in the government can help with social issues and provide health and welfare provision. Many different political parties have different views on to which extent this should be the responsibility of the government. Those who are left-winged will believe in the collectivist approach which is the idea that the state will fund the services needed, whereas the right wing believe in the individualist which is that the government should have as little to do with the workings of society. Recently new labour attempted to blend individual responsibility with collective support as part of a “third way” approach to welfare.
In 1945 when the post-war labour party won a landslide, there was the introduction of the ‘welfare state’ where …show more content…
They do not want a ‘nanny state’ where many people are too reliant on government hand-outs such as job seeker’s allowance. Individualist support the idea of privatisation of services. They would argue that privatisation of the NHS is beneficial, this is when health care is provided by private companies and the individual is made to pay for the treatment. Other privatisation of services would be private schools, where parents pay for their children to get a, what some could argue, better education.The most noteworthy political figure in the UK who believed the ideology of individualism and is said to be responsible for an increase in individualism would be Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher was majorly opposed to the welfare state, she believed that the governments provision for unemployment and sickness were demotivating the British public to work. Numerous cuts were made to the welfare system whilst Thatcher was in power, such as short-term unemployment and sickness benefits. It can be argued that her aim was not to cut the welfare system completely however to make social security a last resort for the very poorest in society. Thatcher had a strong belief for self-reliance and introduced “the right to buy”. This allowed those who lived in council housing to buy their homes. This saved the government money as they would not need to pay to repair the property, it would now be …show more content…
Tony Blair’s ‘Third Way’ is collectivist with an element of self help associated with a more individualist approach. This attempts to blend individual responsibility with collective support as part of a “third way” approach to welfare. This is influenced by an American sociologist, Charles Murray who believe in the “underclass” which is a group in society who are poor as a result of not taking jobs that are available to them and may rely on the governments benefits. Blair argued that benefits should be “hand up not hand out” and made changes to the benefits system. For example, welfare to work programmes. This is a programme which aims to getting the long-term unemployed back into work. In conclusion, the third way is a balance of collectivism and individualism where the state will intervene but in a more individualist
In 1945 when the post-war labour party won a landslide, there was the introduction of the ‘welfare state’ where …show more content…
They do not want a ‘nanny state’ where many people are too reliant on government hand-outs such as job seeker’s allowance. Individualist support the idea of privatisation of services. They would argue that privatisation of the NHS is beneficial, this is when health care is provided by private companies and the individual is made to pay for the treatment. Other privatisation of services would be private schools, where parents pay for their children to get a, what some could argue, better education.The most noteworthy political figure in the UK who believed the ideology of individualism and is said to be responsible for an increase in individualism would be Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher was majorly opposed to the welfare state, she believed that the governments provision for unemployment and sickness were demotivating the British public to work. Numerous cuts were made to the welfare system whilst Thatcher was in power, such as short-term unemployment and sickness benefits. It can be argued that her aim was not to cut the welfare system completely however to make social security a last resort for the very poorest in society. Thatcher had a strong belief for self-reliance and introduced “the right to buy”. This allowed those who lived in council housing to buy their homes. This saved the government money as they would not need to pay to repair the property, it would now be …show more content…
Tony Blair’s ‘Third Way’ is collectivist with an element of self help associated with a more individualist approach. This attempts to blend individual responsibility with collective support as part of a “third way” approach to welfare. This is influenced by an American sociologist, Charles Murray who believe in the “underclass” which is a group in society who are poor as a result of not taking jobs that are available to them and may rely on the governments benefits. Blair argued that benefits should be “hand up not hand out” and made changes to the benefits system. For example, welfare to work programmes. This is a programme which aims to getting the long-term unemployed back into work. In conclusion, the third way is a balance of collectivism and individualism where the state will intervene but in a more individualist