What is awelfare state? Why is A.R. Desai critical of the claims made on itsbehalf?

A.R. Desaiexplained three features of a welfare state. These were as follows:

(i) Awelfare state is a positive state that uses its power in order toimplement social policies for the betterment of society. It isinterventionist in nature.

(ii)Democracy and democratic institutions are considered the mostimportant factors for the emergence of the welfare state.

(iii) Awelfare state includes a mixed economy. It means the co-existence ofboth the private and state owned enterprises. The public sectorconcentrates on basic goods and social infrastructure, while theprivate industry produces consumer goods.

Desai iscritical of welfare states like Britain, USA and countries in Europe.He argues that the claims of these states are exaggerated, while theyare not even able to provide basic social and economic security totheir citizens. They are unable to reduce economic inequality. Theprocess of development in these states is not independent of marketfluctuations. A high level of unemployment alongside excess economiccapacity indicates the failure of welfare state. Therefore, A.R.Desai is critical of the claims made on behalf of welfare state andconcludes that its existence is a myth.

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