Abstract
Political debates are often driven by what is called ideology. Nowadays we refer to ideology as a set of values and beliefs which influence individuals, politics, groups or even societies as a whole. The "critique of existing socio-economic systems, a view of the world, a vision of the future, and guidance to their adherents" are the main features of political ideologies, says Jones. These features will be the framework of our essay which aims to determine what the link between ideology and welfare is, and how each ideology influences social policies. Indeed, like every subject in social sciences, social policies have something to do with ideologies. Whereas the United States of America has moved towards a limited welfare state in which the well-being is linked to a rapid economic growth and to the market, the Nordic countries have emphasized the role of the state.
