ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the evolution of the welfare state. The welfare state is bound to pick the children of high ability for higher education and for higher jobs, and to do this with the interests of the community as well as the rights of the children in mind. But the more use it can at the same time make of allocation to courses suited to special tastes and abilities the better. All welfare states have mixed economies, and this should be recognised as a necessary and desirable feature. A mixed economy is likely to be able to safeguard the freedom of choice of both producer and consumer and prevent the oppression that exists. When both economic and political power are concentrated in the hands of the state, or if vast capitalist empires dominate the economic and the political arena. The amount and scope of freedom must occupy a major place in any appraisal of the welfare state or welfare society.