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Property In The Welfare State, Michael Macneil

Dalhousie Law Journal

A primary goal of the welfare state is to promote individual dignity by guaranteeing a decent standard of living for all. The individual's ability to achieve a sense of self-worth turns on the opportunity to participate in, and contribute to, society in a meaningful fashion. Achievement of such goals is seriously undermined for those who do not have their basic needs guaranteed; shelter, food, health, and education are vital interests of the individual which, if not available in sufficient quantity or quality, hamper or make impossible the opportunity to achieve self-dignity and respect. The instruments for guaranteeing the substratum of …