It should be common sense that when government promises something for nothing, demand will grow and so will the welfare state. It is intellectually bankrupt because increasing the scope of market exchange, not aid, is the only viable way to alleviate poverty. The best way to help the poor is not by redistributing income but by generating economic growth. Poverty rates fell more before the War on Poverty when economic growth was higher. The failure of Communism shows that any attenuation of private property rights weakens markets and reduces choice.
Individual welfare is lowered as a result.
The welfare state has attenuated private property rights and weakened the informal rules of manners and morals that make life worthwhile. Real growth has slowed as a result. In addition to being inefficient and intellectually bankrupt, the welfare state is morally bankrupt. In a free society, people are entitled to what they own, not to what others own. Politicians put on their moral garb, but there is really nothing there.