Describe how the current welfare system works (cite your work) and whether or not you believe changes should be made. List your suggested changes
Saez and Zucman (2016) content that the current welfare system is mandated with the primary objective of providing financial as well as material assistance to families and individuals through programs such as food stamps, healthcare, childcare aid, housing aid, and unemployed compensation. In the opinion of these scholars, each state is allocated this assistance differently depending on its ability and also economic status of the country. Furthermore, the amount of help accorded to an individual depends on their financial ability and its relation to the required minimum levels within that state. The main factors surrounding the amount of assistance accorded to any individual circulates within their level of current income, number of members in the family and the type of disability of the recipient of the services is suffering from any form of disability.
The modern welfare systems in different states vary on naming but they serve the same purpose. Additionally, the poverty state in a country also determines the requirements for those who should receive the aid. It is worth noting that in the United Sates, the federal government provides financial support to different states via the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Therefore, based on the current working of welfare systems, my opinion is that states should establish some changes such as providing assistance to different individuals by setting up finance generating activities such as providing them with loans to start their own businesses. This would ensure that such people do not keep on depending on government aid every time. Another change is creating employment opportunities for children from such families.
Reference
Saez, E., & Zucman, G. (2016). Wealth inequality in the United States since 1913: Evidence from capitalized income tax data. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(2), 519-578.