Assessment Based National Dialogue

SPF Good Practices Guide

Module 15

Objectives

This module aims to explain why a social contract is needed and how it came into being. It describes different factors which have played a role in influencing our vision of society and social protection policies and schemes. It talks about a welfare state and explores the varied experiences of countries in designing social policies and social protection systems. The fact that the ABND exercise relies on a national dialogue will guarantee that the vision of society and the social contract are reflected in the recommendations of the ABND.

Key questions

  1. What is a social contract and why is there a need for it?
  2. What is the origin of the social contract?
  3. What roles do ideology and religion play in social protection?
  4. What other factors influence social policies?
  5. What is a welfare state?
  6. What is the basis for social contracts in different countries?

Takeaway message

A social contract is needed to ensure harmony and security in a society. When people give up their natural liberty, i.e. the liberty to do what they want, they gain civil liberties and the right to be protected. The different ideologies, such as libertarian, liberal, and socialist, have different aims, different views on what works best for the people, and the role of government. This shapes the social policies and social protection systems in the country. Many other factors, such as religion, global social and economic influences, and availability of financial resources, also shape national social protection systems.

The social contract in a country impacts the design of social protection programmes and the awareness generation process. The social contracts in different countries will inform whether social protection systems will focus on universal versus targeted schemes, contributory versus subsidized schemes, or social insurance and solidarity versus individual accounts.

Resources

Video

Part 1 - What is the social contract?

Part 2 - Factors shaping our vision of society

Part 3 - Questions and opinions