Abstract
Over the past century, the provision of social welfare has changed dramatically, in both the recipients of welfare care and the scale of the social protection services. This evolution is mainly due to the development of welfare states. In the 1910s and 20s the growing movements, like the trade union movement or Labour Party in Britain have enlightened, and sort of created a conflict between the poor working class, the industrial, and the powerful class. The state intervention was seen, as the only efficient solution in order to protect the workers against industrial capitalism. The provision of social welfare is commonly linked with the notion of a welfare state. However, the state is not the only entity which can respond efficiently to social problems. In addition to the state, we can find the private market, the voluntary sector and the 'informal welfare', that is, the family, the neighbourhood, etc. This welfare mix takes a different form, based on the time period during which, and to the country in which it has been developed. On one hand, the development of the welfare state in Britain is, for example, mainly a consequence of the Beveridge Report in 1942 stating that it was time to 'remove the five giant evils that had haunted the country before the war : disease, idleness, ignorance, squalor and want'. This concept was challenged unsuccessfully by Margaret Thatcher. In modern times, the concept of a welfare state is being questioned and more than ever the boundaries between the different sectors in this welfare mix are blurred. On the other hand, in the United States, the provisions of social welfare, are in the largest part dedicated to the private sector whereas in the Scandinavian Countries, the state takes a greater part in the social welfare provision.
