Social Inclusion and the Welfare State: An Ethical Perspective
Ethical and Social Inclusion in the Welfare State
Altruistic cooperation forms the ethical basis of social work, establishing the dignity of all people. Humans, as rational beings, shape their world and transform their environment. The welfare state is the context within which social inclusion and exclusion processes operate in our time. It represents a societal project founded on individual dignity, requiring both material and relational fulfillment.
The Human Project and the Creation of Values
According to Ortega y Gasset, individuals are an open project, navigating a given circumstance, both natural and socio-cultural. Within this context, we create our destiny, adapting to and changing circumstances. We think within a culture, interact within established customs and traditions, yet generate new ideas and individual and collective liberty. Life is a collective and individual project shaped by language, technology, and societal norms. In our time, welfare is defined as the realization of social citizenship, where basic needs are met, and individuals can act according to their capabilities. For Ortega y Gasset, life is not merely survival but living in a society that supports our hopes and projects. Human existence is a struggle against difficulties opposing our way of life. His ratiovitalistic theory implies that being in the world and being a person are not entirely consistent. The person guides their life in search of fulfillment. Unlike animals, whose lifestyle is predetermined, we must strive for our existence. Our identity is extranatural, artificial, invented—a life project. This project of self-realization defines our personality. Life is the desire to realize a specific project, driven by our aspirations. Understanding life involves analyzing the desires and dreams of individuals, groups, and society. Key features of life from this perspective include:
- The person exists in historical time, each a drama, a struggle to become.
- Societies and circumstances shape welfare and the world, leading to diverse cultures and individuals.
- Life is a constant task, originating from the desire to become a specific person and build a specific society.
Social Integration and the Welfare State
In our time, the project we find ourselves in, driven by altruistic cooperation, is the welfare state. It is an institutional response aiming to put human rights and democracy into practice. Social work groups operate within this context. The principles underpinning the welfare state, from Ortega y Gasset’s perspective, are the horizon of our life project. Two pillars support the welfare state:
- The economic proposals of Beveridge (minimum income safety net) and Keynes (state intervention to boost demand).
- Marshall’s concept of “social citizenship,” with its civil (individual freedoms), political (participation in power), and social (life in a market society) dimensions.
The welfare model strives for optimality, expanding social services beyond the care of those in hardship. It aims to ensure a decent life and full community participation. The notion of welfare has evolved from a utilitarian perspective to one that emphasizes the social dimension of life and the “social good,” shifting from individual to social rights. Three stages mark the evolution of the welfare state:
- Experimental period (1870-1920): Debate on the role of government.
- Interwar period (1919-1945): Social policy became strategic, with social security and expanded services.
- 1950-1970: Rapid expansion of public social provision in the West, driven by Keynesian policies and post-war reconstruction.
Altruistic Cooperation, State Intervention, and Universalism
The welfare state uses institutionalized power to modify market forces in three ways:
- Guaranteeing a minimum income.
- Mitigating uncertainty by addressing contingencies (sickness, old age, unemployment).
- Ensuring access to the best social services for all citizens.
It is an ethical project based on altruistic cooperation and human rationality, aiming to create societies where wealth creation is linked to equitable distribution. Three key features of this project are:
- Positive impact on economic growth and income distribution.
- Legitimacy of state intervention in regulating society and the economy, providing universal and targeted services.
- Universalism of social services, ensuring access for all, promoting work-life balance and meaningful leisure.
Code of Ethics of Social Work with Groups
Ethical awareness is crucial for social workers. Their commitment to ethical action is essential for quality service. Specific challenges include:
- Balancing different interests.
- Navigating support and control roles.
- Resolving conflicts between protecting individuals and societal demands.
- Prioritizing limited resources.
Ethical principles derive from international human rights declarations. The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Code of Ethics highlights two main principles:
- Human Rights and Human Dignity: Respecting inherent worth and dignity. Social workers should:
- Respect self-determination.
- Promote participation.
- Consider the whole person.
- Identify and develop strengths.
- Promoting Social Justice: Social workers should:
- Challenge negative discrimination.
- Recognize diversity.
- Distribute resources equitably.
- Oppose unjust policies.
- Work towards a cohesive society.
Professional conduct involves obligations such as training, avoiding harmful actions, acting with integrity, empathy, confidentiality, and accountability.
In group work, social workers address needs at both personal and group levels, linking efforts with families, social contexts, and institutions. Ethical principles guiding this work include altruistic cooperation, human dignity, and the welfare state. Social work with groups aims to enhance social skills to cope with life’s challenges, using flexible methods prioritizing user needs and goals.