Welfare State, History of

Abstract

In England the term ‘welfare state’ dates from the 1940s. It has stronger associations of paternalism in American English. How is ‘welfare state’ translated into German? Conflict exists between the terms and Sozialstaat. The definition as per Briggs is influenced by the events of the 1940s. The history of the ‘Origins of the Welfare State’ is illustrated by two versions, the British and the German, that indicate differences in periodization and focus, and suggest the influence of political considerations. A brief reference to the Swedish version illustrates the same point. A general history of ‘the welfare state,’ as distinct from the history of individual welfare states follows. Is it located in the wider context of the history of the state? Points considered are: unification of the law, establishment of bureaucracies, elimination or control of intermediate forms of authority, but also its characterization by new systems of domination peculiar to it. The role of representative democracy is also considered. The connection with the development of industrial capitalism is analyzed in terms of the problem of ‘externalities’ as well as the role of combinations and transfer payments, of public provision of goods and services, and of regulation. The history of welfare states since 1945 with a few generalizations is followed by a look at the effect of major changes in the international economy. The article concludes with an examination of recent influences on the historiography of welfare states such as a gender conscious historiography, welfare state history ‘from below,’ studying the ‘mixed economy of welfare,’ and comparative studies.