ABSTRACT
This chapter establishes a core of welfare law and to define some typical and distinctive principles which construct the core. The aim is to discuss the underlying principles of Swedish welfare law concerning economic welfare through social insurance. There is a sketch of the methodological principles for a broad understanding of welfare law through both the context of state and society and the positive law and legal policy. This chapter discusses those principles and characteristics of the core of Swedish welfare law that can be elicited from social insurance law. This chapter takes that the law is based on values and norms in society and that these can transform into legal principles. Together with legal cultures and social policies, norms and principles are a part of the legal system. This chapter states the features of public social insurance are very specific and cannot be found in private insurance.
