Suchergebnisse

It is nothing new that 'the welfare state' faces serious challenges. Ever since the 1970s, Western welfare states have by many researchers been regarded as being in crisis, but despite many policy adjustments and important variations among Western welfare states, the overall scope of the welfare state, as measured by social expenditure per capita, has by and large increased. At the same time, we can observe a globalization of social policy and the emergence of a more active social role of the state in many parts of the world during recent decades.
But new challenges due to a variety of new security issues and new dimensions of uncertainty have appeared, not least following the unanticipated Russian large-scale invasion of and war on Ukraine and concomitant international political developments. Political unease about the future of the welfare state and scope of social policies in different parts of the world has escalated. Welfare political priorities must compete with increased priorities for defense, cyber security, and issues related to energy, climate, food, and the environment.
Motivations for state responsibility for citizen welfare and well-being – as well as for the type and scope of responsibility - vary. The fate of the welfare state and social policies is clearly a question of political and normative commitment to what kind of socially active state is desired. The paper addresses the following topics: Why should a state be socially active? What were historical reasons for developing welfare states? What are current motivations for developing and maintaining welfare states? What are the economic, political, and moral dimensions of welfare state sustainability? In addition to possible national political responses to social challenges, it is argued that in a globalized world reinforced international cooperation, coordination and regulation may be necessary to achieve sustainability of (national) welfare states.

Though there are hundreds of commissions, agencies & other federal divisions, the framers of the Constitution vested the executive (Exec) power in the president (Pres), & separated gov powers into judicial, Exec & legislative divisions to avoid tyranny in any one organ of gov. The responsibility placed on the Pres today is very great; his roles include those of chief of state, commander-in-chief, foreign policy negotiator, custodian of the public interest, shaper of opinion, chief administrator, party leader, & former of policy. The execution of these burdens of office has necessitated the formation of a complex Office of the Exec. In his policy-formulation & decision-making roles the Pres depends upon his annual `state of the union' message, messages & recommendations to Congress & the character of his budget. His assistants include the White House staff, a cabinet secretary, the Bur of the Budget, the Council of Econ Advisors, the Nat Security Council, the Cabinet & the Civil Service. Though the presidency is highly institutionalized, it remains the task of the Pres to make decisions & assume full responsibility for them, & to evoke the participation & loyalty of the citizens in their implementation. Though Congress has not lost its legislative role, the general policy-orientation & the initial impulse come from the Pres. The power of the Pres is circumscribed by constitutional provisions & legislative enactments. Other limitations derive either from the sheer size of the federal Exec or from the existence of independent units with important regulatory powers. B. J. Keeley.

State fiscal decisions have a significant impact on the US economy. Taken together, subnational governments employ more than one out of every eight workers and provide the bulk of all basic governmental services consumed by individuals and businesses. Sustaining the States: The Fiscal Viability of American State Governments will give you a basic understanding of trends in, current status of, and future prospects for the fiscal sustainability of state governments. After reading this book, you should have a great appreciation for the reach and multiple contributions of state government.