福利国家(welfare state)
国家在保护和提高其公民的经济福利和社会福利方面发挥主要作用的一种政治体制概念。福利国家的概念基於下述各原则︰机会均等、财富公平分配以及对於收入过低、生活困难的公共责任。这个名词包含多种经济的和社会的组织。福利国家的一个基本特点是推行社会保险，以提供某个时期最大的需要（如老年、疾病、失业）。它通常还提供了包括基础教育、保健服务以及住房等方面的公益救助措施。在这方面，西欧各国实施的福利国家计画，其规模要比美国为大。此种情况可见於多种范畴，包括广泛的健康保险项目和政府补助的高等教育助学金。社会主义各国的福利国家计画包括就业和对消费品价格的管理。20世纪时自由放任主义的概念逐渐没落，几乎所有国家都设法制订与福利国家有关的某些保险措施。1948年英国所采取的范围广泛的社会保险措施、美国的新政和良政的社会政策，都是以福利国家的原则为基础的。斯堪的那维亚各国则是由国家为个人提供的资助几乎贯穿其生活的各个时期。
English version：
welfare state
Concept of government in which the state plays a key role in protecting and promoting the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those who lack the minimal provisions for a good life. The term may be applied to a variety of forms of economic and social organization. A basic feature of the welfare state is social insurance, intended to provide benefits during periods of greatest need (e.g., old age, illness, unemployment). The welfare state also usually includes public provision of education, health services, and housing. Such provisions are less extensive in the U.S. than in Western Europe, where comprehensive health coverage and state-subsidized university-level education are common. In socialist countries the welfare state also covers employment and administration of consumer prices. As the concept of laissez-faire declined in popularity in the 20th century, most nations instituted at least some of the measures associated with the welfare state. Britain adopted comprehensive social insurance in 1948, and in the U.S., social-legislation programs such as the New Deal and the Fair Deal were based on welfare-state principles. Scandinavian countries provide state aid for the individual in almost all phases of life.
