A Dissertation Submitted
to the Council of the College of Administration and Economics at the University of Karbala
as Part of the Requirements for Obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy of Economic Sciences
Submitted by
Saja Hilail Dayan Al-Ghreibawi
Under the Supervision of
Prof.Dr. Tawfeeq Abbas Abd oun Al-Masoudi
Prof Dr. Sultan Jassim Al- Nasrawi
Modern societies are witnessing rapid economic and social transformations that have generated significant challenges regarding social justice and income distribution. Consequently, “Welfare Economics” has emerged as a fundamental
theoretical and practical framework that integrates economic efficiency with distributive justice through effective public policies. Social protection serves as the cornerstone of this model, evolving beyond mere immediate relief to become a strategic investment in human capital and a pivotal element of sustainable development. In the Iraqi context, decades of wars and structural crises have weakened the effectiveness of the rentier state, leaving the social protection system facing systemic hurdles related to coverage, equity, and financial sustainability. This research stems from a primary hypothesis: the effectiveness of Iraq’s social protection system should not be measured solely by the volume of financial allocations or in-kind assistance, but rather by its ability to economically and socially empower vulnerable groups and transform them into productive forces, in alignment with welfare economics principles. The research aims to analyze the current state of social protection programs in Iraq and diagnose the gaps preventing their transition from a “relief-based logic” to an “empowerment-based logic,” with a specific focus on the role of youth and
graduates as a vital demographic in shaping more equitable social policies. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach to review socio-economic indicators, the study concludes with the necessity of adopting comprehensive legislative and institutional reforms centered on digitalization and governance. Such reforms are essential to ensure support reaches intended beneficiaries and to build a resilient society capable of absorbing economic shocks while achieving sustainable structural welfare.
Keywords: Social Welfare, Socio-Economic Well-being, Social Justice, Spending Efficiency, Social Resilience, Quality of Life, Economic Empowerment
