Reflections on Social Welfare Theory in the Juridical Foundation of Sustainable Public Policy

Abstract

This research discusses how the national law system accommodates and reflects social welfare theories in the formulation and implementation of sustainable policies. The research is conducted through a normative juridical approach and a literature study of the main regulations governing social welfare. It was found that although various regulations have provided formal space for the fulfillment of society welfare, in practice most policies are still based on residual approaches that tend to be reactive and short-term. Social welfare theories such as institutional and developmental approaches have not been widely accommodated in law and policy products. This reflects the weak integration between social theory and the law’s logic. The gap between theoretical foundations and the law’s norms can hinder the achievement of social justice in a sustainable manner. Law reform is needed that responds to administrative issues, and is driven by theory-based academic thinking. Regulations that reflect the principles of distributive justice and structural empowerment are important for building a transformative and inclusive social welfare system. This research contributes to strengthening the scientific basis for the formation of adaptive and long-term social policies.