The Welfare State System and Common Security

A Global Vision for a Common Future

verfasst von: Prof. B. Vivekanandan

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book argues that the welfare state system should be adopted globally, not only for the purpose of achieving equality and justice within nations, but also for security between states. Using Finland, Sweden and Canada as case studies, it theorises that the welfare state system and the common security system, which are mutually reinforcing peace structures, should be utilised worldwide as the best method of attaining peace and prosperity. It demonstrates the feasibility of the welfare state in the past, whilst also showing how these historical experiences can be translated into socio-political action to address contemporary global challenges. Operating in the fields of political theory, international relations, and social philosophy, it will appeal to scholars and students of public policy, the welfare state, and sociology, as well as state policymakers.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. The Perspective

Abstract

A peaceful, contented ‘One World’ is the goal. Welfare State System and Common Security are the means. There was a time when the concept ‘One World’ was seen as utopian. This is no more the case. Various developments in the world today are making the ‘One World’ approach a necessity and are leading humanity in that direction.

B. Vivekanandan

Chapter 2. Swedish Welfare State Model

Abstract

The Swedish Welfare State System is the most outstanding Welfare State model in the World, suitable for emulation at the global level, for the welfare of all people everywhere in the World. Construction of the Welfare State System in Sweden has been remarkably simple. Affirmation of equality, solidarity and equal justice for all has been central to the Swedish Welfare State System. Similarly, the role of a benign, transparent, democratically elected government has also been central to it. It has demonstrated clearly how co-operation and pooling of risks and remedies are the best way to build a peaceful and just society. Therefore, as a successful modern system, the influence of the Swedish Welfare State System has transcended the national and even Continental boundaries. The system has been built up, basically, on the universal, and the universalist, social democratic principles of equality, freedom, democracy, distributive justice and solidarity. Being its torch-bearers, the Swedish Social Democrats have made it their flagship of achievements. The goal of the welfare state has been lifted up beyond the alleviation of poverty and set to the establishment of a social security net, which recognises universal social rights.

B. Vivekanandan

Chapter 3. Welfare State System in Finland

Abstract

Advanced welfare state system as a new way of life has initially been a Scandinavian/Nordic construct. Basically, the welfare state system is the upshot of a class compromise, which was conceived by the Stockholm School’s economists, like Gunnar Myrdal, Ernst Wigforss and Gustav Möller, as the anchorage of a new social policy theory to enhance stability and efficiency in state economy. Those economists had analysed the positive linkages between economic growth and distributive justice. This new approach has given a higher emphasis to certain basic elements embedded in the human psyche, like goodness, fellow feeling and compassion. It has established that if stable incentives are provided to constantly nurture these latent faculties in human beings, they can become predominant factors in shaping their thoughts and actions. When these factors get integrated with the principles of egalitarianism, the new society they together create would be a magnificent one. Ending of poverty and enhancement of the quality of life of the people as a whole, through an equalisation process, become the main targets.

B. Vivekanandan

Chapter 4. Welfare State System in Canada

Abstract

In the pursuit of the establishment of an everlasting peaceful One World, based on the twin complementary structures of Welfare State System and Common Security in the present century, it is imperative to focus on how advanced Welfare State Systems have been established, how they have performed and the impact they have made on the life situations of peoples in different parts of the world. Across the Atlantic, Canada’s experience in the construction of an advanced Welfare State System, and the texturing of it in a federal state, deserves special attention in this context. Canada’s peaceful security environment, and how it has established an advanced Welfare State System in the country, and the moves it has made to deal with new problems before it are valuable lessons for other countries to learn while formulating their preventive strategies to meet such potential problems in future.

B. Vivekanandan

Chapter 5. Common Security

Abstract

Common Security is one of the two strong and mutually reinforcing components of the peace structure which this book presents for ensuring common future well-being of humanity; the other component of it being the Welfare State System. Its visible material contribution to build up the edifice is its peace dividend in the form of release of enormous resources, saved from armament production and arms trade, military research and maintenance of huge defence establishments, for the purpose of strengthening public welfare provisions for human development, on the one hand, and the creation of a favourable global environment based on cooperation and solidarity, conducive for the stability and nourishment of the Welfare State System as an internal way of life, on the other.

B. Vivekanandan

Chapter 6. Scandinavian/Nordic Welfare States: An Approximate International Peace and Security Model

Abstract

In the annals of societal reconstruction, the Scandinavian/Nordic Welfare States—Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Iceland—have made a significant contribution to the advancement of human civilisation in the twentieth century and have become models for other states and regions for emulation. They have done it by capturing early the spirit of the age—the urge for equality and solidarity—and established a regional peace structure of highly advanced welfare state systems.

B. Vivekanandan

Chapter 7. The Way Ahead

Abstract

This book is born out of a deep conviction that there is need of a decisive change in the way humanity moves forward, and gets organised to ensure a peaceful, prosperous, happy and contented life in future everywhere in the world. It is also based on a conviction that all people in the world, irrespective of their birth locales, creeds and colours, are equals and that their needs and entitlements everywhere are also similar. They have equal rights over the bounty of the Earth. If organised in a constructive way, based on principles of equality, equity, freedom, democracy and solidarity, the Earth has provided, to all its inhabitants, with more than what they all need to live in peace, prosperity and happiness. Added to it is the treasure of innovative human minds in the World, which shows its embedded prowess to constantly embellish people’s quality of life. Therefore, it is imperative that the present generation, with all the wisdom at its command, should think and act globally to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and happy life for everyone in the planet. To draw maximum benefit out of the endowed nature’s bounty and the intellectual prowess, we have to consciously organise the humanity, living in all continents, in a cordial kindred spirit. Fraternity blooms, where humans are guided with a sense of cooperation and compassion. Upanishad’s affirmation that all life is one and the same seems to be the best reference point for building up such a bond among the peoples in the world.

B. Vivekanandan

Backmatter

Titel: The Welfare State System and Common Security
verfasst von: Prof. B. Vivekanandan
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-05222-4
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-05221-7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05222-4