ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the concept of welfare from the perspectives of social policy, economics, sociology and philosophy. It presents key principles, concepts and policies in relation to welfare and the welfare state as this will show the variety of principles, and to varying degrees are used, in the welfare state. The welfare state has been defined in different ways despite it having had a central role in many societies for many years. Social policy and welfare state policies can be seen as instruments that can be used in order to try and achieve the highest possible level of welfare for the citizens in a country. In economic theory, the interest in relation to welfare has primarily been on individuals’ choices as they are expected to relate to what is best for the individual. A core reason for state welfare is that the market left to itself will in many areas not provide either services or economic security for citizens.
