Welfare state in France

This study is concerned with the extent to which modern France has become a "welfare state." The term "welfare state" is not subject to precise definition, for practically all modern governments are concerned in greater or lesser degree with the well-being of their citizens. But since the publication of the Beveridge Report in 1942, the phrase has become roughly descriptive of government activities which are redistributive in character. The welfare state, in other words, has to do with the use of government power as an instrument for the redistribution of income in society, generally with the dual objectives of greater equality in the distribution of money income, and a guarantee of some minimum standard of well-being for all citizens. These objectives may be brought about directly through a redistribution of money income, or indirectly through the pro vision of services to some segments of the population on some basis other than the costs of those services. However it may be managed, the existence of a welfare state means an alteration in the pattern of income distribution.