In late-18th century England, what looked like a generous welfare system from one perspective, was in effect a tool of the English class system, a way to keep the poor from rising. Class paternalism is the flip side of class rigidity. Neither has a place in democracy. Beginning in the 1960s, our government made large moves towards adopting a paternalistic welfare system. This system also took a toll, over time, on Americans' understanding of democratic citizenship.
Many today claim a right to the property of others, rather than their own.
Three years ago, Congress and the president took a step back toward the older, democratic model of welfare. Welfare rolls have subsequently been shrinking. I invite you to read it. Subscribe to the Claremont Institute's Precepts to r eceive the latest news and information about national politics and other topics via e-mail.