The role of the state in economic affairs is a complex and controversial
topic. The political thinkers are divided about the extent and mode of state
interference in economic activity. The Anarchists hold the view that a day will
come when people will be lifted so much morally that there would be no need of
government at all. The society will be so much conscious of its duties that it
will regulate its affairs itself. This view of the Anarchists seems to be only a
dream and wishful thinking and is not likely to be realized at any stage.
The Mercantilists believe that the state should actively participate in the
social and economic spheres. The Physiocrats were of the view that the state
should not impose any artificial barriers on individual's economic behavior.
They believed in the law of nature.
Adam smith, the father of Political Economy, believes that the state should
not interfere in the internal economic life of the citizens of a country as it
hampers economic progress. He advocates the doctrine of noninterference or
laissez-faire. Adam Smith, however, justifies certain cases in which state
interference is necessary. They are (i) defense of the country, (ii) expenses on
administration to safeguard the legitimate rights of the citizens and (iii) free
education for needy students.
The communists, on the other
band, hold, the opposite view. They advocate that state should own all factors
of production. The decisions of what to produce, how much to produce and for
whom to produce should all be carried out by the state. The state, in other
words, should have minute supervision on the economic activities of the
individuals. They believe firmly that there should not be any individual
economic liberty, because it leads to exploitation of the poor by the rich.
Moreover, the policy of
non-interference causes widespread business fluctuation and mass unemployment in the country.
So they say, why to involve ourselves in such distress and misery? They,
therefore, strongly advocate complete state control in social and economic
spheres.
In between these two extreme view held by Adam Smith and the communists, the
modern capitalist government have struck a happy mean. The states intervene
directly or indirectly in all those economic and social activities where the
community as a whole can benefit.
