| a state in which the welfare of the people in such matters as social security, health and education, housing, and working conditions is the responsibility of the government. |
| welfare state n.
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A state or government that promotes public welfare through programs of public health, pensions, unemployment compensation, public housing, and the like. The expression welfare state is often used by those hostile to government intervention in these areas.
An economic system that combines features of capitalism and socialism by retaining private ownership while the government enacts broad programs of social welfare, such as pensions and public housing.