A Study On The Social Security Social Policy Essay

A Study On The cordial warranter sociable Policy Es state complaisant auspices defined as the protection which society provides for its members by a series of commonplace measures against the economic and kindly distress that otherwisewise would be caused by the stoppage or substantial reduction of net resulting from sickness, maternity, employment injury, invalidness and death (ILO 19843), is perennial and ubiquitous as human society. It plays a probative role in the lives of many people especi wholey those with minimal incomes. As noted by Hill (2006) it is incorporated action to protect separates against income deficiencies Social gage body therefore, is made up of nonp atomic number 18il or more societal certificate programmes, a method of financing, and a mode of administration, that tin be configured to achieve particular genial protective covering objectives (Dixon 199910). This does not, however, needs imply uniformity of brotherly security systems glo bally.This make-up therefore seeks to take in the discrete amicable security systems that come finished in various countries and as much(prenominal)(prenominal) submit to bear the sources of their difference. It would be argued that the distinction among countries is as a result of the diverse histories of tender security provision as easy as the different upbeat politicss that take place in the diverse countries. The paper will further explore the diversity in carnal knowledge to selective or cosmopolitan genial security systems in equipment casualty of friendly restitution, cordial assist and social allowance/contingent benefits and invite on examples from UK, USA, Sweden, and Germany to substantiate the discussion.Social security is intrinsically aimed at penury prevention or alleviation, compensation as wellspring as redistribution of income. This suffice can be delivered through non systemic social security such as the family, voluntary organizations ( charity, friendly societies, credit unions and trade unions) as well as market. The state however, plays a very significant role of social security provision in many countries.Notwithstanding the permeating reputation of social security, there is diversity in the systems of operation globally and this is as a result of the ideological underpinnings of different countries. In other voice communication, the social security provisioning in countries depend on the political ideologies and welfargon administrations that exist and this to a large extent shape the system of social security. Dixon (19991) captures this as he writes the right of social security is realized in alter degrees in different countries, as imaged by their traditions, history, level of socioeconomic development and the prevailing political and social philosophies, which come together and determine who should be the social security winners or losers. Thus, eligibility for social security benefits is one form of distinction that exists in different countries. This has to do with the conditions or prescriptions to be satisfied in order to receive a particular social security benefit. Either by way of selective means-test or widely distributed citizenship benefits as well as contributory or non contributory recognizes enhancement financed benefits.Selective social security is where only particular individuals or groups atomic number 18 covered by a social security programme and this is normally based on means-test subject to househ elderly income and resources. The study function of selective social security is need alleviation and this is achieved through social assistance programmes. Social assistance is a selective means-tested social security system in which resources argon targeted at those most in need. In the words of Dixon (19995), it is a selective-categorical procession to social security. This system unlike social insurance does not rely on personal contribution but is fund ed through public revenues (taxes and budgets). Eligibility is based on citizenship as well as residency and beneficiaries need to satisfy certain conditions like low income to qualify for allowances, grants and other lasts to supplement their incomes. This could be provided in cash as in the transitional supporter for Needy Families (TANF) in USA, tax credits in UK or in kind food stamps programme available to low income individuals and families in the USA (Walker20056).Universal social security on the other kick the bucket is a social security programme that gives insurance coverage to the entire cosmos whether citizens or residents and is a non contributory system. This social allowance program provides benefits to all legal residents (Bradshaw Deacon 1983) or citizens and financing is generally through public revenues. The essential function of this system is the prevention of poverty. Dixon (19998) describes this as a universal-categorical approach to social security, wh ereby usually flat-rate and uniform cash pensions and benefits are provided to residents (usually subject to stripped residency period requirement) or citizens in designated categories of presumed need, commonly without reference to their contemporary or past employment experience. He further goes on to say social allowance recognizes common responsibility of all people for the welfare of others (Dixon 199964).Countries with such universal social security programs in terms of social allowance let in UK, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark etc. In the UK and Sweden, child allowances are major universal social security systems. In addition, Sweden has a canonic universal non contributory citizens pension. Other universal social security systems include New Zealand old age allowance and Denmarks universal pension for old age or disability (OECD 1996). Moreover, citizenship based benefits is another form of universal social security in which a universal basic income is provided to citizens. meshing tested universal systems also provide universal benefits based on modified social insurance.Furthermore, social insurance is yet a schema of social security and this is win related as well as contributory. In the terms of Dixon (19994) social insurance is an employment-related, contributory approach to social security. This is a selective social security system in which entitlements are based on prior contributions and either financed from current contribution revenue or past contribution income accrued. In addition, contribution is mandatory and may be based on flat rates or earnings related and its primary social security goal is to prevent poverty. The social insurance strategy is basically a major social security system globally for most pension schemes and as noted by Dixon (1999), about 148 countries have adopted it at least for one of their social security programmes.In addition to the differences in social security strategies outline above, another source of di fference in social security systems is ascribable to the different causas of welfare regimes. Welfare regimes according to Walker (200513) refer to the different ways in which countries or jurisdictions organize economic production and transfers at bottom the context of a capitalist market economy. Based on the type of regime, social security provision could be shifted to the family, market or state. For character in a liberal regime, emphasis is on the markets and hence the individual relies on family and private insurance for social security. In other words, embodied welfare is provided through the market with residual targeted state support for those who are unable to contribute (Walker 2005). Countries within this category include USA and to round extent UK.A socially democratic regime emphasize on universalistic modified social insurance with dominant role of the state. Social security is seen as a universal right for citizens and as such universal basic benefits. As not ed by Walker (200516), receipt of a public service or benefit becomes both a right and a badge of citizenship, a statement of equal expense and solidarity. The social security is funded through public revenues (taxation). For example Sweden and Denmark within this regime have universal child allowance and basic universal pensions respectively.On the other hand, in the conservative regimes, social security is provided through collective transfers or social insurance with little or no social assistance. The role of the state is that of promoting the welfare of its citizens through regulation and, where appropriate, facilitation (Walker 200516). Pooling of risk is a key component of this social security system. Emphasis is on the family and support is provided to the male breadwinner while the female homemaker is dependent on her diligent husband (Walker 2005). In addition compensatory rights for workers as well as earnings related social insurance and family allowance are other for ms of support. This regime is found in Germany, France and Japan.In the light of the foregoing discussion, the paper did bring to bear that social security is very crucial for poverty alleviation and prevention. This therefore explains its dominance globally but in different forms. The paper has discussed the difference in social security systems in relation to coverage (selective/universal) and the different strategies used as well as the different social security regimes which also shape the social security systems of various countries. notwithstanding the diversity in systems of social security, it is possible to identify major strategies through which these social securities are constructed globally. This paper therefore looked at three major strategies, social assistance, social insurance and social allowance/contingent benefits in relation to UK, USA, Sweden and Germany as well as the different social security regimes. In conclusion, it can be emphasized that though social se curity systems differ in varied countries, they all aim at poverty alleviation or prevention, social compensation, redistribution of income, fostering social cohesion as well improving on the standard of living of people.ReferencesBradshaw, J. Deacon, A. (1983) Reserved for the slimy BlackwellDitch, J (1999) Poverty and Social Security in the European Union, in J. Ditch (ed.) Introduction to social security Policies, benefits and poverty, London Routledge, pp 227-38Dixon, J. (1999) Social Security in Global Perspective Westport, CT Praeger Publishers LondonEardley, T. et al., (1992) Social Assistance in OECD Countries Country Reports DSS Research Report No 47, Off Pubs. 42 f8919/46Hill, M. (2006) Social Policy in the Modern World A comparative text Blackwell.International Labour Organization (1984) Introduction to Social Security Geneva ILOKingson, E. Schulz, J. (1997) Social Security in the 21st light speed New York Oxford University foment Millar, J. (ed.) Understanding Socia l Security, 2009, Bristol The Policy Press.Titmuss, M. R. (1956) The Social disagreement of Welfare University PressWalker, R. (2005) Social Security and Welfare Concepts and Comparisons Open University Press