Police state, Laissez faire state & Welfare state

What is police state? Police state is a term denoting a government that exercises power arbitrarily through the power of the police force. It is an undesirable state of living, characterized by the overbearing presence of the civil authorities in every walk of life. It is a state where the state controls all economic activities by force and not really keeping in mind the welfare of the people.

What is Laissez faire state? “Laissez Faire” is French word for “leave alone” which means that the government leaves the people alone regarding all economic activities. It is the separation of economy and state.

What is a welfare state? A welfare state is a concept of government where the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life. 

There are two main interpretations of the idea of a welfare state:

• A model in which the state assumes primary responsibility for the welfare of its citizens. This responsibility in theory ought to be comprehensive, because all aspects of welfare are considered and universally applied to citizens as a “right”.
• Examples: laying roads, maintaining law and order, defence etc.,
• Welfare state can also mean the creation of a “social safety net” of minimum standards of varying forms of welfare.
• Examples: Universal basic Income, Minimum wages Act in India etc.