Evolution of Social Security

What is Social Security?

In simplest of words, Social Security is the mechanism that ensures 'Freedom from Wants' for the needy i.e. the mechanism that provides sustenance to those who cannot work and earn their living due to temporary or chronic reasons.
Known interchangeably by different names like - 'Social Protection, 'Social Welfare' etc. it covers measures or action programmes aimed towards the welfare of vulnerable sections of population like

• Children
• Elderly
• People with Disabilities
• Women
• Unemployed
• Socially Marginalised
• Farmers
• Tribal Groups
• Sex Workers
• Persons living with HIV

It is a pre-requisite for just and equitable society which acts as shock absorber and step towards protecting people against vulnerabilities, bridging societal inequalities, ending poverty and hunger and strengthening human dignity, social cohesion and democracy.
Social Security covers diverse aspects within its ambit like - Pension schemes, unemployment allowance, Nutrition and Health related schemes, education and skill development schemes, providing essential utilities at subsidised rates etc.
In short, any measure or programme that can promote the welfare and improve the quality of life of the population can be referred to as social security measure.

Evolution of the Concept of Social Security

The concept of social security is not new. It has been there for centuries in the form of welfare provided by Kings and emperors to the needy population. For example, the "Free Grain to Poor" in Roman Empire is perhaps the oldest recorded form of social security.
In modern era with the rise of Nation States, the theory of 'Social Contract' forms the basis of state sponsored Social Security measures. As per the 'Social Contract' the individuals who join together to form a society or nation state have the right to be protected and provided for their welfare by the state. This forms the basis of 'Poor Laws' of 1601 in Britain and then the 'Worker's Compensation' and 'Sickness' allowance programmes by Otto Von Bismarck in Germany as the first modern examples of Social Security.
The concept of Social Security was formalised by the adoption of 'UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights'. Article 22 of this declaration can be regarded as the core premise for social security. It reads as - "Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality."
Further Article 23 of the declaration says that - "Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection."
International Labour Organisation (ILO) adopted 'Social Security Convention, 1952' to establish a worldwide agreed minimum standard on Social Security. Social Security contingencies as per this convention are-

• Old Age Pension
• Survivor's/Dependants Benefit
• Occupational Injuries
• Disability Benefits
• Unemployment Benefits
• Family Benefit for maintenance of family
• Medical care
• Maternity benefit
• Social assistance for others in need

The concept of Social Security founds a conspicuous mention in the Millennium Development Goals as well as Sustainable Development Goals.

Evolution of Social Security in Modern India

India can be regarded as an early starter in the field of Social Security and as early as in 1923, the Workmen's Compensation Act was enacted in India.
As India is a founding member of both ILO as well as UN, the principles of Social Security highlighted by these institutions find their mention in the Indian constitution. The Article 41 of Indian Constitution expressively talks about Social Security. It says - 'The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want.'
This Directive Principle of State Policy though not legally enforceable, forms the moral and legal basis for several of the Social Security measures and schemes India has initiated for its vulnerable population.

Need for Social Security in India

As discussed above, Social Security refers to the mechanism that provides sustenance to those who cannot work and earn their living due to temporary or chronic reasons. Our ranking on Human Development Index (131 out of 188) shows that India is in 'medium human development category'.
This is primarily due to poor living conditions of millions of vulnerable sections of our society like women, children, elderly, unemployed, disabled, farmers, tribal groups etc. Hence, India needs Social Security measures to raise the living standards of these people to bring them out of the cycle of vulnerability.
Earlier the social security in India was provided by the traditional joint family system. But now this traditionally informal security system of family in India has been impacted due to industrial revolution, modernization and urbanization and job opportunities in cities, individualistic attitude of children, etc.
This necessitates the state to step in as provider of social security.

Types of Social Security

• Preventive Social Security - These are the schemes that are aimed at risk prevention i.e. reducing vulnerabilities that could lead to socio-economic marginalisation. It covers schemes like health care, vaccination, education, livelihood opportunities etc.
• Promotional Social Security - it covers schemes that provide assistance to socio-economically marginalised people. For example- reservations in education and jobs, rehabilitation, financial and other assistance etc.
   

By: Deepak Hooda