In
an ideal country, there would be no poverty, income inequality, or
unemployment. In previous decades, to attain economic equality for all, a
country would have to follow a set of rules that initially looked good on
paper, but once put into action, could become the biggest demise of the rights
of the individual. This phenomenon is called communism: the money-less,
stateless, and classless social order based on the idea that everyone owns
everything. However, Taiwan (Republic of China) has almost completely
eradicated poverty, with a poverty rate of 1.16%, while maintaining a
constitutional republic and a constantly expanding economy. We have been
desperately looking for a middle ground, and I think we have found one in
Taiwan.
Since the 1990s, the Taiwanese
government has spent over $5.08 billion dollars on social welfare programs to
assist the lower-income citizens and eventually bring them over the poverty
line. For children, a program has been enacted that protects children from
abuse, drugs, gangs, and violence. It promotes a healthy and safe school
environment and examines the safety of the food and objects children encounter.
Under the National Health Insurance (NHI) program, children under three years
old are granted subsidies for medical treatment. The aging threshold in Taiwan
is growing, so they also have many programs in place for the elderly. A middle
or low-income citizen 65 years or older receives about the equivalent of $100
monthly under the NHI program. In 2007, the government passed a long-term
system to assist senior citizens in need of full-time medical attention. Also,
in July 2007, the National Pension Act was passed, stating that any adult
between the age of 25 and 65 who was not covered by any of the other insurance
plans was to be included in the national pension. So, theoretically, every
citizen in Taiwan is covered by insurance. According to the United Nations, the
key to low poverty rates is slow population growth.
Thailand has instituted health/family-planning programs for mothers, which
allow them to have fewer children and allocate more time for each child,
inducing better family nutrition, education levels, and a higher standard of
living.
The key to a reduction in poverty is
a focus on social welfare programs and slow population growth. If a government provides
the necessities of life to its citizens (like health insurance), then the
individual can supersede the poverty line and become able to enjoy life. With a
slower population growth, the cost of social welfare programs dwindles and
allows a government to provide the necessities of life for its citizens.
3 comments:
The social welfare system that Taiwan utilizes appears to be effective, according to its statistics. Using a system such as this with so many (and so expensive) programs in a country as big as the United States would most likely not be as effective, if at all. The Taiwanese government required over $5 billion to support a puny population compared to America's. Our nation would simply run itself further into debt if it were to follow Taiwan's example/
For a government (and nation) from scratch, however, this system of programs could easily be practiced and perhaps even improved. The key factor for its success is the nation's size and acceleration of the size. The population cannot increase rapidly, such would result in failure. But a steady population with rational, yet proactive laws for the citizens to abide by would result in success and evasion of domestic poverty.
The social welfare system that Taiwan utilizes appears to be effective, according to its statistics. Using a system such as this with so many (and so expensive) programs in a country as big as the United States would most likely not be as effective, if at all. The Taiwanese government required over $5 billion to support a puny population compared to America's. Our nation would simply run itself further into debt if it were to follow Taiwan's example.
For a government (and nation) from scratch, however, this system of programs could easily be practiced and perhaps even improved. The key factor for its success is the nation's size and acceleration of the size. The population cannot increase rapidly, such would result in failure. But a steady population with rational, yet proactive laws for the citizens to abide by would result in success and evasion of domestic poverty.
The social welfare system that Taiwan utilizes appears to be effective, according to its statistics. Using a system such as this with so many (and so expensive) programs in a country as big as the United States would most likely not be as effective, if at all. The Taiwanese government required over $5 billion to support a puny population compared to America's. Our nation would simply run itself further into debt if it were to follow Taiwan's example.
For a government (and nation) from scratch, however, this system of programs could easily be practiced and perhaps even improved. The key factor for its success is the nation's size and acceleration of the size. The population cannot increase rapidly, such would result in failure. But a steady population with rational, yet proactive laws for the citizens to abide by would result in success and evasion of domestic poverty.
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