Date Written: 12/27/2022
Assignment: Write 250 words on this topic: “Which promotes greater personal responsibility, the free market or the welfare state?”
Believe it or not, the civil government plays a big role in how personally responsible people are in a society. We can all agree that personal responsibility is a good thing. So, which form of civil government brings out personal responsibility in the citizens? Is it the welfare state that we live in today or a free-market society?
The Welfare State
Today we live in a welfare state society. To put it simply, that means that the government gives people money that the government has stolen from other people. This action takes many forms in our society. Social security, unemployment benefits, medicare, and all the other various subsidies are all great examples of the welfare state in action. They also want to take all these things to the next level and give everyone one fixed income whether they work or not. Do you think that this system promotes personal responsibility?
Many people don’t work and live comfortable lives off these benefits. This system pays and encourages people to sit at home on their bums and watch television all day. They never see the consequences of their actions, whether they’re good or bad. If they constantly fail at whatever there doing, then the state is always there to provide for them. If they get many successes, then the state takes their wealth to give to other people. In this system, the state is much like a parent. The people are encouraged to stay at home and play while mommy and daddy state take care of them. Just as a parent is often held responsible for the actions of their child, the welfare state is held responsible for the actions of the citizens.
The Free Market
On the other hand, the free market encourages personal responsibility. In this system, everyone experiences the consequences of their actions. If they do a poor job or get losses, then their income goes lower. If they do a good job or get successes, then they see an increase in their income. People have to take responsibility for their actions, as that is the only way they can make a good living. There is no parental state to look after people if they fail or steal from them if they succeed. The free market isn’t complicated. Since people see the consequences of their actions they are responsible for them.
Very nicely written!!