The Social Policy of the Firm

In: Policy sciences: integrating knowledge and practice to advance human dignity ; the journal of the Society of Policy Scientists, Band 14, Heft 2, S. 117-135

Abstract

The "welfare state" concept hides an important aspect of modern industial society. In capitalist countries, welfare is provided through a mixture of public & private initiatives. It is suggested that the concept "welfare economy" more fully captures the economic interpenetration of public & private sectors. The growth of fringe benefits illustrates the extent to which private enterprise performs the welfare function. Government increasingly intervenes through processes of mandating, stimulating, regulating, & supporting, using private enterprise as the vehicle for welfare service delivery; its traditionally conceived role as welfare service provider is also changed through recognition that it is both an employer & purchaser, significantly impacting society's original income distribution. 2 Tables, 11 References. HA.