The enabling state

• Positive freedom was used to justify an extension of the state - more laws, state spending and more taxation
• Liberal governments have introduced a "People's budget" - state pensions, national insurance for sick and unemployment pay and free school meals
• Keynes argued that after the Great Depression, the state must constantly steer the economy and manage demand to secure full employment and without this individual liberty would be difficult
• The Beveridge Report and the "five giants"

  Post WW2, five giants threatened individual freedom and potential

  • Poverty, unemployment, poor education, poor housing and poor health care
  • Could only be over come with a major extension of state provision