The Key Function of Government Today it is widely recognized that a key function of government should be to provide for and ensure the well-being of its people. At the beginning of the 20th century, this view was not shared by the vast majority of people. The prevailing ideology of Laissez-Faire (“leave it alone”) stated that the state should stay out of people's lives. Any state intervention in the economic and social world would be an obstacle to individual freedom and a step towards tyranny. Poverty and unemployment were the result of the moral inadequacy of individuals. It is in this environment that the Liberal government of 1906 will be elected, with a massive majority of 400 votes. Their manifesto promised to protect “free trade,” as opposed to the conservative policy of tariffs. Social reforms, although foreseen, were not mentioned. However, between 1906 and 1914, the Liberals implemented a series of welfare reforms, including the first state pension, the national health insurance system, and unemployment legislation. The 1906 election was notable for another reason. The emerging Labor Party, promising to improve the lives of workers, won 24 seats in parliament. Although the MPs were aligned with most Liberal issues, their mere presence was still significant. For the first time there was an organized working class alternative to the liberals. This essay will discuss the extent to which liberal reforms were motivated by this “threat” from the Labor Party: Or why… middle of paper… marginalize rather than embrace them. Motivated by a sort of " Because of the imperial angst that emerged in the late 19th century, liberals decided to strive for a new national efficiency. The reunification of Germany and its sudden growth into a superpower under Bismarck, along with the power ever-growing United States led many to believe that Britain's position as the leading imperial power would be threatened. These fears were only worsened as the "great British army" struggled to victory over a group of disgruntled South African farmers in the war. It was believed that social and welfare reforms would be a panacea for these problems, creating a more cohesive society and a population of skilled, healthy workers who could work productively and be good soldiers if and when needed...