welfare state

noun2

1. •
   A national level social system of a country operated by its sovereign central government for the citizens' welfare overall responsibility, providing health care, education, unemployment benefits and social security.

   • In order to grant the rich these pleasures, the social contract is reconfigured. The welfare state is dismantled. Essential public services are cut so that the rich may pay less tax. […] — 2013
2. •
   A country in which such a system operates.