Social Safety Net refers to the programs and services that helps to keep the individuals stay out of (certain level of) poverty.
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Arguments in favor of | Arguments opposing |
| It helps the underpriviledged in the society. | |
| Social safety net can help to support the unfortunate, hence keeping them out of poverty. | Unlimited social safety net may create a perverse incentive to be poor. |
| It helps individuals to stay out of poverty. | |
| Social safety net can help to reduce poverty induced crime in the society. | Social safety net may require excessive resources and hence result in lost productivity in the society. |