Welfare state, middle class and welfare society

Abstract

A welfare state system that a central government and the local government manage as a main actor obtains social mutual agreement for a certain period after World War II. Though it is still assumed to be one ideal model now, a welfare state system faced up to various criticisms regarding the financial difficulty and controll people's daily life after 1970's. As a result, the welfare state surrender the seat of the ideal model gradually to the welfare society where the citizens, neighborhood groups and NPO take leading part. Therefore, the welfare state and the welfare society are located as existence which should be put on the pole concerning the management subject.It is thought that the welfare state values the policy for the low income layer from the basic goal. But by becoming of socialinsurance made a main pillar to the kernel gradually, middle class people has received the profit through that system. It does the aspect which can be called “Welfare state for middle class” or “Middle class colonization of welfare state”. On the other hand, NPO which is thought to be one of the center of the welfare society is an organization which is made by the efforts of the middle class people. Therefore, the social position of middle class is double meaning about the beneficiary from the welfare state and the supporter in the welfare society, too.In the advanced country, the relation of welfare state and welfare society should be reexamine through using concept of the middle class. This article is an essay to acquire such a new aspect