A government’s role is only to provide defense capability and urban infrastructure (road, water supplies…). All other services (education, health, social security) should be provided by private groups or individuals in the community. To what extent do you agree or disagree? - Ielts Essay

A government’s role is only to provide defense capability and urban infrastructure (road, water supplies…). All other services (education, health, social security) should be provided by private groups or individuals in the community. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 

Ielts Essay - Government Dealing with Social Security 

Social welfare and delivery of governance has always been a top priority of any democratic set-up, but for some, embracing all areas concerned with welfare of the inhabitants is a daunting task. They feel, creating a bifurcation in the jobs would help, like the state handling defense, infrastructure and utilities, and inviting private participation in other areas.

Governments should be primarily concerned with the issues of greater relevance, but that does not accrue financial returns, like: ensuring external and internal security; developing infrastructure, rendering utilities, etc. Handing over rest of the responsibilities to the private players and community would help the states to streamline their establishments and workforce, and focus on more critical areas.

Such an action would also help in curtailing pilferage and misuse of funds, collected from taxpayers. Since private organizations are guided by an urge to earn profits, it would help ensure an optimal use of funds, and consistent introduction of innovation at various levels of functions in these areas.

However, government is an elected body, which has been given a mandate by the people, who also pay taxes, to take care of various aspects of social life, including welfare. Eliminating or transferring some of the responsibilities to private sector might result in economically weaker sections being further arginalized. It would hard for the state to address basic issues at the grass root level, as the poor may be stripped of the benefits being extended to them. This would surely have dire consequences in long run, and this might affect the overall development of a country.

Overall, I personally feel that idea of handing over essential services to the private sectors is full of flaws, and could pose seirous challenges for the destitute sections. Thus, such a policy must be implemented with caution.