text: From the standpoint of classical liberalism, welfare would never have come into existence, but families and charities would take care of those unemployed or unemployable.  That would definitely put some emphasis back on the family, which is absolutely obliterated by the welfare system.  Noone on welfare depends upon a breadwinner, but rather on their buddy - Big Brother.  \n\nClassical liberalism placed emphasis on individual responsibility, whereas a welfare state is a malignant cancer that rewards those void of personal responsibility.\n\nHowever, corporate welfare is far more an agregious form of redistribution of wealth than society's well-intentioned, though flawed attempts to help the poor.