What’s the modern purpose of the welfare state? | Letters

Was it conceived as a necessary bulwark to a moribund, failing capitalism, or is it an active creator of destitution, or something to be cherished? Guardian readers discussComforting as it may be to think otherwise, the welfare state was not conceived as a gesture of munificent goodwill to the indigent, or even as a system from which we all benefit, but as a necessary bulwark to a moribund, failing capitalism (The ‘welfare state’ should be something to be proud of, 1 November). It wa