The following are main features / characteristics of a public welfare state: 

1. Democratic system of administration: 

A public welfare state is a democratic arrangement. It develops in democracy only. It is a good for all public welfare states to develop in such a way that there are no undue restrictions on the liberty of an individual. A public welfare state respects personal freedom and rights and adopts democratic means and social changes. 

2. To provide social security: 

A welfare state provides maximum security to its citizens. It provides opportunities for employment, and help to the helpless and weaker section and necessary help during ailments to old people. 

3. To provide economic justice: 

A welfare state delivers justice on the principle of economic equality. This state imposes more ‘taxes’ on wealthy class in order to eliminate social and economic disparities from the society. 

4. To establish social justice: 

A public welfare state tries to weed out the prevalent social disparities, evils, blind faith and also establishes social justice by bringing the backward and downtrodden class of society into the mainstream. 

5. A middle path between individualism and socialism: 

A public welfare state tries to bring about coordination between the two extreme concepts of individualism and socialism. There is a spurt in the functions of the state in this system, but the importance of an individual is also recognized and his freedom is sustained. 

6. Spirit of international cooperation: 

The thought of a welfare state is not only national, but it is also international. It is quite necessary in order to perpetuate the resources of national welfare that we pay heed to the necessity of having means of international interests besides the means of interests for a specific state. 

Important Conditions required for Success of a Public Welfare State: 

For a public welfare state to succeed, it is very important that it should fulfil the following conditions:

1. Necessary functions: 

For success of a public welfare state, the first condition is that it should perform the following necessary functions: 

• To maintain internal peace and order. 
• Security of the boundaries of the state. 
• Proper judicial management and arrangement. 

2. Optional’ functions: 

It is important for the success of a public welfare state that it should also perform the following obligations for the sake of its citizens: 

(1) Social reforms: 

For the success of a welfare state, it is necessary to eliminate social evils such as imposing ban on alcohol consumption, prevention of child marriage, untouchability, caste system, etc. 

(2) Regulation of agriculture, industry and business: 

A public welfare state should regulate agriculture, industry and business in such a way that no one is exploited. For the development of agriculture, arrangement of HYV seeds and irrigation, etc. should be done by the state. 

(3) Regulation of labour: 

A welfare state should try to improve the condition of its workers. It should arrange for proper wages, pension, health care, insurance, education, help of workers when they are in distress, etc. 

(4) Arrangement of education: 

It is the responsibility of a public welfare state to make arrangement of education for its citizens. In this context, it should arrange for primary education, education for women and elderly persons. A state should make arrangement for reading rooms and libraries. 

(5) Aid to the helpless and victims: 

A welfare state should arrange for pension to aged persons, free healthcare and shelters for the homeless, etc. 

(6) Healthcare: 

For cleanliness and control of diseases, a state should try its best. For public health care, it should open dispensaries and medical research centers, and medical care should be provided free of cost to labourers, women, children, etc. 

(7) Development of sources of moral values: 

Besides materialistic development, moral values should also be taken care of by the state. For this, help of interpreters, radio, television, newspapers and magazines can be taken. 

(8) Works related to family planning: 

For the control of population, it should be ensured that family planning programmes reach the common people. 

(9) Economic security: 

A state should arrange for employment to all the people for their economic safety. In case, if this is not possible, a state should provide a ‘stipend’ for their livelihood.