Divergence and convergence: In search of a common base of the notion of the welfare state in China and in the West

Abstract

The welfare state is not the monopoly of the West, though it is always perceived to be so. A review of the Chinese history discovers that the notion of welfare state and related welfare system has long existed in China. However, these two conceptions of the welfare state have different value and philosophical bases and, hence, different welfare systems evolved. The establishment of the Peoples' Republic of China has given a chance for the Western welfare values to be implemented. This paper will seek to delineate and compare the characteristics of the value basis of the welfare state in China and in the West. The two tradition are not incompatible, in fact, they can learn from each other.