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Human Rights and SWelfare

The document discusses the concept of human rights as inherent entitlements of all individuals, established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. It contrasts different social welfare approaches, including neoliberal, residual, institutional, and developmental social welfare, highlighting their implications for equality and dignity. The state has an obligation to uphold these rights and ensure social welfare systems are inclusive and supportive of all individuals.

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Nove Jane Marie Rase
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11 views21 pages

Human Rights and SWelfare

The document discusses the concept of human rights as inherent entitlements of all individuals, established by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. It contrasts different social welfare approaches, including neoliberal, residual, institutional, and developmental social welfare, highlighting their implications for equality and dignity. The state has an obligation to uphold these rights and ensure social welfare systems are inclusive and supportive of all individuals.

Uploaded by

Nove Jane Marie Rase
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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I.

From Needs to Human Rights

o Human rights are rights we have simply because we


exist as human beings - they are not granted by any
state.
These universal rights are inherent to us all,
regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic
origin, color, religion, language, or any other
status. They range from the most fundamental - the
right to life - to those that make life worth living,
such as the rights to food, education, work, health,
and liberty.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),
adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, was the
first legal document to set out the fundamental human
rights to be universally protected. The UDHR, which
turned 70 in 2018, continues to be the foundation of
all international human rights law. Its 30 articles
provide the principles and building blocks of current
and future human rights conventions, treaties and
other legal instruments.
The UDHR, together with the 2 covenants - the
International Covenant for Civil and Political
Rights, and the International Covenant for Economic,
Social, and Cultural Rights - make up the
International Bill of Rights.
What do a rights approach to social welfare mean?
Clearly understanding the difference between a right
and a need.
A right is something I am entitled to solely by
virtue of being a person. … that which enables me to
live with dignity.
a right can be enforced before the government and
entails an obligation on the part of the government
to honor it.
We have the natural right to life and liberty and are
equal in dignity. Equal concern and respect for these
basic rights should be guaranteed, protected, and
upheld by the State.

The State has the duty to safeguard and assure the


dignity of its people as individuals and as members
of communities and ensure their capacity for self-
development. The State should formulate policies,
enact laws and provide mechanisms that are in
conformity with universal human rights standards.
Principle of State Obligation

Requires any States party to:

prevent discrimination
prohibit discrimination
identify and redress
impose sanctions against discriminating acts
promote women's rights and equality (includes rights
of marginalized groups) through proactive measures
Social Welfare
Social Welfare

Organized system of policies, programs and services aimed at


responding to social needs, issues and concerns towards the
ultimate goals of improving people’s quality of life, reducing
inequalities and impoverishment;
Involves both government and civil society actors;

Five sectors
--Public (state-initiated and administered)
--Private (for profit)
--Voluntary (non-profit)
--Mutual aid (“provision by solidarity)
--Informal (family, friends,etc)
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Neoliberal Concept of Social Welfare

“Bring the market into social welfare”


Reduced government spending on social welfare
Social welfare is a good “market” for business (e.g.,
health care, daycare, long-term care, etc.)

*Privatization
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Residual Social Welfare

Residual: Literal meaning ‘the left over’, ‘remaining’

It refers to welfare that is provided by the government to


help the needy and the poor only when poor people are unable
to help themselves through the market (unemployed or low-
income), or unable to get help from family, friends or their
relatives.
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Residual Social Welfare

It is on a stopgap basis. This system first ensures that all


other sources of support ( family, job, charity) are
insufficient or not available to the needy people.

Temporary / Short Term Services; The services are often


discontinued once people have the means to get assistance
elsewhere or become independent (find a job).
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Residual Social Welfare

The services are means-tested; Means testing is the method


of assessing whether the individual or family is eligible
for government assistance or welfare and whether the
individual or family have means to do without a particular
kind of help.
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Residual Social Welfare

Welfare is a safety net (a system to help those who have serious


problems and no other form of help) as it is only for those
people who are unable to manage otherwise
It is curative; this approach deals with needs as they come. The
state only step in when the problem is very obvious and needs
immediate attention as the individuals are unable to help
themselves.
Stigma attached; Sees poor as incompetent, responsible for their
poor conditions.
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Institutional Social Welfare

In an institutional system, welfare is not just for the poor: it


is for everyone.
Universal; Welfare is provided for the population as a whole, in
the same way as public services like roads or schools might be.
It focuses on giving each person equal opportunity to be
supported, whatever their circumstances
Social welfare institutional approach focuses on the organized
system of providing services to the people to fulfill their
needs.
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Institutional Social Welfare

• It is preventive; provision of services before waiting for a


problem to occur. The government recognizes the need for a variety
of social services to maintain good standard of living.
• No stigma attached; as all the people are entitled for the
services. These services do not distinguish the need of one
individual from another and it can be availed by anyone who wants
it.
• The States have special obligation to ensure the well-being of
all and the people have the right to get (benefit of)these services.
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

Developmental social welfare is a pro-poor strategy that strives


to promote a welfare system that facilitates the development of
human capacity and self-reliance within a caring and enabling
socio-economic environment.
Direction: Becoming a “welfare society” rather than a “welfare
state”
Anticipates problems and creates environments
Coverage: universal
Committed to the pursuit of equality in all areas of life.
Thank you so much! God bless you all!

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