Statism

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Categories: Political systems | Human societies

Statism is a term that is used in a variety of disciplines (economics, sociology, education policy etc) to describe a system that involves a significant role for the state in economic or social affairs. In social sciences it can also refer to the mere existence of states, particularly in relation to discussions of nationalism, modernity and globalization. Anarchists also often use the word in this sense. In economics, the term "statism" refers to any economy where state planning plays the dominant role, or the advocacy of such a system.

Also in economics, the term has been used to refer to economic intervention itself, even if it occurs within an overall market economy. In this sense, "statism" is most often used by opponents of such intervention. Advocates typically do not refer to it as statism, preferring to call the intervention they support by other names, depending on their specific methods and goals.

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Usage in relation to socialism, communism, and collectivism

Socialism and communism are often accused by their opponents of being "statist". However, a few observations need to be made:

  • Nearly all forms of socialism are opposed to state intervention in matters of personal freedom (though some forms of socialism favor a strongly regulated or even entirely state-controlled economy; see planned economy).
  • There are branches of socialism that reject state intervention altogether, such as libertarian socialism.
  • The final goal of communism is a classless, propertyless and stateless society. Communists see the state only as a necessary evil until the creation of that society is possible.

Opponents of statism often use the term as a synonym for collectivism. However, there is no necessary connection between the two. It is possible to have a commune or some other form of collectivist society that is entirely stateless (indeed, this is the kind of society advocated by most anarchists, and the final goal of the communists). Conversely, it is possible to have a strong central state which does not implement any policy that may be regarded as collectivist.

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Discussion on the morality of statism

Many modern political philosophies hold that individual rights are in no way natural or absolute, but that they are social constructs; in other words, rights and freedoms are not assigned by nature or some other higher authority, but by human society itself. For example, we have the right to life not because there is anything natural about it (after all, nature does not condemn murder), but because the majority of the human population has agreed that it is in their common interest to respect this right. Therefore, individual rights cannot be separated from the public good, since the public good is the reason why individual rights exist in the first place. Some statists would say, therefore, that if one accepts that a state is necessary to protect individual rights, then one also accepts that a state is necessary to carry out other actions for the public good. This is the foundation of the majority of "statist" philosophies. Detractors of this position would say that given that allowing state action to protect individual freedom may be prudent, it does not follow that that a state is morally justified in overriding individual decisions, and that if it does so, it is actually violating individual freedom.

Some opponents of statism argue that restricting individual freedom is intrinsically immoral. However, others reject statism in favor of a more liberal economic policy simply because they believe decentralized economic planning by individuals and corporations in a free market produces superior economic results. Supporters of statism argue that centralized economic planning, rather than a free market, produces greater economic benefits for everyone. (see also planned economy)

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See also

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References

fr:Étatisme he:אטטיזם ja:国家主義 pl:Etatyzm fi:Valtiojohtoisuus