A FEW WORDS OF INTRODUCTION

The very word “welfare” (or as often described, albeit with some differences “social welfare”) is certainly very well-known and tossed about in mass discourse as something almost self-evident. This does not mean, however, that the subject matter lurking behind this term is interpreted unequivocally. In fact, the situation is quite the opposite and demands at least modest commentary.

Nevertheless, before embarking further, the potential reader is owed the briefest of possible working explications. It is for this reason that I have signaled that this would be an essay: that word serves as an indication that the text at hand has not been pondered and penned in the fashion of conventional academic articles. This pertains both to the manner in which thoughts will be expressed, but also to the referencing of written sources. With regards to the former, this means moving towards a rather freestyle presentation, setting aside defined or definitive methodological conceptualizations. This treatise will be composed in a more reflective spirit in hopes that it will inspire subsequent deliberations and debates. With regards to the latter, referencing will be limited to a short and select bibliography. In line with the premise that this is to be an unreserved reflection, the text itself will not be supplemented by the usual footnote apparatus directing readers to ancillary publications.

By way of introduction, I would like to also herald two additional premises underlying this essay, but of a substantive, contextual meaning. The first of these is an emphasis on the universality of the issue of welfare, but a universality known, above all, to the part of our global human community which is usually (but also aptly) described as the Western World. Phenomena taking place globally constitute a complex designatum, yet despite its internal diversity, the West does stand out with a certain, fundamental, and unbroken line of development of both ideas as well as specific, corresponding solutions. Let us immediately add that this also relates to Poland and its systems of intervention and support. Our own history—as with many other countries—is uniquely edifying, but also entwined with general Western trends and tendencies.