William Beveridge on The Role of Government

Sir William Beveridge (1879-1963) was a British economist and social reformer best known for his 1942 report titled “Social and Allied Services” (PDF), though often simply referred to as the Beveridge Report, from which the above quote is pulled:

“The object of government in peace and in war is not the glory of rulers or of races, but the happiness of the common man.”

The Beveridge Report, which outlined strategies for combating various social ills, served as the foundation for the soon-to-be passed Welfare State reforms.

Background image credit: Elena / Flickr