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Social Floor




  A social floor, commonly known as a social minimum, is a baseline level of social services and human rights, accessible to all. It includes social protection, or a safety net to create a minimum bundle of resources to lead a minimally decent life. The objective, to prevent people from falling into destitution.



  As defined by the International Labor Organization and UN it contains four guarantees, universal health care, gauranteed income security for children, social assistance for the poor and unemployed, gauranteed income security for the elderly and disabled.



   Some scholars argue for public works, access to education, housing, land and credit. Though no agreement on the definition, the consensus, those who cannot provide for themselves, including children, the unemployed, elderly and disabled should still have access to a minimum amount of services and resources.



   The argument, human beings should have the opportunity to lead a decent life in their society. This requires a minimum level of resources. The social floor would exist to provide these resources, or the ability for access to them by those who cannot get them on their own. The principle of social justice is equality and social unity. By necessity, this demands prioritizing the worst off. Universal social protection would help decrease poverty and inequality, improving society for the benefit of all.



  The economic benefit, economies need a productive workforce to function. Increased social protection and access to healthcare have been shown to increase productivity and decrease poverty, approaching political stability and economic growth.



  Argument against social protection is affordability. Doubt lingers over how to fund a social minimum, especially in underdeveloped countries. Critics argue a social floor is impossible, impractical, or unfair to fund. Straightforward, to meet the minimum would require a significant part of the GDP for any country. Unrealistic because there is not enough money to fund it. Along the lines of opposition to welfare, it takes money from those who have earned it and rewards people who have not earned it.



  On the agreement a social floor is practical and realistic, consensus needed as to what is included. The social floor would be particular for every country, depending on minimum levels of income and capabilities required to live a decent life, a life of dignity.





Wikipedia