The Welfare State

The morality of the welfare state depends on contribution and responsibility. Since some people don't contribute and many are irresponsible, the choice of those who do contribute and are responsible is either to tolerate the free riders, refuse to pay for the effects of their irresponsibility, or trust the state to educate them. Hence the government campaigns against smoking, alcoholism, obesity, and gas-guzzling - the first two solidly in place, the other two ramping up. But the British state now goes further: it acts in favor of sexual and racial minorities. In the case of gay men and women, this means progressively removing the legal disadvantages under which they have lived, and ensuring that society as a whole observes the new order.