作為研究社會福利制度與政策的基本理論基礎，本課程的內容包含四個面向：第一是人類需求，許多福利制度的設計都是從滿足個人的基本需求出發，因此如何從理論觀點檢視「基本需求」的內涵與意義，再從「福利權利」到「福利國家」進行討論，是當前福利理論的重要課題之一。其二、對於福利國家理論所重視的「利他」等社會價值的討論，隱含福利國家所企圖追求的理想境界。第三、隨著福利國家發展理論的脈絡，福利國家危機的顯現，後福特主義也面臨經濟環境的轉變，「多元福利主義」的出現、新自由主義的政策浪潮來襲，隨之國家與市場、國家與非營利組織、國家與非正式組織之間都產生新的課題，為解決福利國家的困境尋找出路。第四個部分則探討東亞及日本在福利發展上的趨勢與理論的基本架構，分析「福利社會」與「福利國家」之間的論述與觀點，重新思考以東亞或亞洲社會-政治¬¬-經濟環境下福利理論的可能詮釋與意義。

As the basic theoretical basis for studying social welfare systems and policies, the content of this course includes four aspects: The first is human needs. The design of many welfare systems is based on meeting the basic needs of individuals. Therefore, how to examine "basic needs" from a theoretical perspective? The connotation and significance of "demand" and then discussing from "welfare rights" to "welfare state" are one of the important topics in current welfare theory. Second, the discussion of social values ​​such as "altruism" that is valued by welfare state theory implies the ideal state that the welfare state attempts to pursue. Third, with the development of welfare state theory and the emergence of the welfare state crisis, post-Fordism is also facing changes in the economic environment. The emergence of "welfare pluralist" and the wave of neoliberal policies are coming, and with it, the relationship between the state and the market , the state and non-profit organizations, and the state and informal organizations have all generated new issues to find ways to solve the dilemma of the welfare state. The fourth part explores the trends and theoretical framework of welfare development in East Asia and Japan, analyzes the discussions and perspectives between "welfare society" and "welfare state", and rethinks the socio-politics of East Asia or Asia- Possible interpretations and implications of welfare theory in economic contexts.