Understanding Social Action, Welfare, and Policy

1. Social Action

Manuel Moix defines social action as any effort made by individuals, groups, or communities to achieve social progress by advancing social policy and improving social conditions and services within a country.

It covers basic needs and addresses emerging requirements. The dynamic relationship between needs and resources drives progress, which can be hindered if there is a disconnect between social needs and resource planning. Social action involves intervening in the balance between needs and resources, which can be categorized into four meanings:

• As a theory: The body of knowledge that addresses the gap between needs and resources.
• As a professional activity: Organized efforts to resolve social needs through the application of resources to achieve welfare.
• As a professional citizen action: Efforts applied by individuals, groups, or communities to solve problems that transcend the individual framework and affect society.
• As a policy: Procedures generated by agreements between the government, political parties, and citizen groups, with professional advice, to align resources with needs for widespread prosperity.

2. Social Welfare

Social welfare is the global system of action that responds to the social aspirations of all people regarding their conditions of life. It seeks to respond proactively to problems rather than reacting after events occur. It protects the generalization of social action for everyone based on their residence.

There are no exceptions; all persons must be recognized as having an individual, actionable right to basic welfare, adhering to the constitutional principle that all citizens are equal before the law and have the right to a dignified life.

3. Social Policy

Social policy is defined as government action intended to solve social problems. Its key features include:

• Non-neutrality: It is inherently based on a political ideology.
• Purpose: Its primary goal is the resolution of social problems.
• Responsibility: It is the duty of public authorities, who hold the power to legislate.
• Systemic Integration: It facilitates the social welfare system, which is directed at the general population to meet basic needs and promote quality of life.