Social security in the Federal Republic of Germany

Present trends and problems in the field of social security in the Federal Republic of Germany may become clearer in the light of past developments. Activities which deserve the modern term ‘social policy’ began in 1794, when a Prussian law set forth the duty of public authorities to secure for every citizen the necessary maintenance (Verpflegung) irrespective of the cause of his distress. This was the first time that public responsibility for the maintenance of the citizen was recognized in Germany, and this was the origin of what is now called the social assistance scheme (Sozialhilfe).