The United States is often referred to as the “reluctant welfare state.” There are several reasons for this description. One of the main reasons for this is the differences and diversity of political parties which are the driving forces that control the government. The Liberal Party, for example, supports government safety nets and social service programs for those who need them. “Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. ("Studentnews", 2006) They believe it is the government's responsibility to ensure that the needs of all citizens are met and to intervene to resolve problems. The responsibility of government is to alleviate social ills, protect civil liberties, and defend individual and human rights. Liberals support most social and social service programs; such as TANF, including long-term welfare, housing programs, government regulated health care, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and education funding. Their goal is to create programs that promote equal opportunities regardless of gender, age, race, orientation, nationality or religion, among others. Liberals believe that government involvement is essential and a means of bringing fairness and justice to the American way of life. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe that public welfare services should be funded and controlled by the public. They believe in personal responsibility and limited government; in fact, the lowest possible level of decentralized government. Conservatives believe that decision-making at state level is preferable to federal supervision. "Conservatives are less likely to support widespread entitlement programs that provide social assistance...... middle of paper ......ted. The United States must shed this title of reluctant welfare state and move toward social justice with a government that understands the importance of equal rights, benefits, and services for all. Works Cited Blau, J. (2004). The dynamics of social protection policy. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc. Studentnewsdaily. (nd). Conservative or liberal beliefs. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/other/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/Jansson, B. (2009). The reluctant welfare state. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.Benefits.gov. (nd). New York Medicare. Retrieved from http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/1637U.S. Department of Health and Social Services. (nd). Administration for Children and Families: About TANF. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/about.html