Social inequalities are a key issue for modern welfare states in the post-industrial globalized economy. The extent of social inequalities within nations is directly related to the size and nature of the welfare state. The welfare state was the mechanism by which governments in developed economies intervened in health and social public policy areas to ensure access to health care and social services. Public policy has a significant impact on social and health inequalities. The specific public policies that influence these are government provision of income and housing security, program support for individuals and families, and poverty reduction. Much of this involves governmental transfers of national wealth among the citizenry. This paper presents and discusses some of the key differences among advanced nations in terms of governmental transfers in broad policy areas as well as the specific areas of health care, old age, incapacity, and families. These issues tie into the political ideology of governments, the nature of the political and electoral systems of countries, and how public policies can reduce inequalities between different groups.
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