Add to ORKGThe paper discusses who has the right to what, in terms of contemporary visions on social egality, equity and justice, in terms of public policies and welfare. Welfare states have emerged in periods of industrialization and globalization, since then they have withstood several economic recessions and financial crises and adapted to profound changes in the labour market and society. Social spending has continued to rise in most welfare states over the past century and more. The present-day established welfare states are, however, among the richest countries in the world, while achieving high standards of living and a fair achievement of economic equality. Moreover, the "welfare state model" is adopted by other countries in the world, with th...