William BEVERIDGE and 'planning toward a free society' : the transformation from utilising friendly societies to facilitating voluntary activity

Abstract

This article aims to explain in detail how and why William BEVERIDGE developed the idea of 'planning' toward a free society in the 1940s, and what distinctive features it had. It focuses on the change in his position on voluntary associations, resulting from his efforts to overcome the difficulties of friendly societies. There were two fundamentally different ideas of planning. BEVERIDGE proposed a pluralistic programme that called for co-operation between the state and voluntary associations, while the Labour Party promoted a centralised programme of expanding state welfare provision. Eventually, the Labour Party's idea took form and became dominant in British social policy after World War II. Yet, the role of the BEVERIDGE's idea should not be overlooked. He pointed out that state provision was not enough and that voluntary efforts were indispensable. He initially recommended that friendly societies, as a representative voluntary association, should occupy a responsible position in the state welfare system. He, however, simultaneously realised the defects of friendly societies. He, therefore, changed his view from utilising friendly societies to facilitating voluntary activity in general. Finally, in Voluntary Action (1948), he recommended that all voluntary associations, including friendly societies, should be encouraged to contribute to social advance.