Statism

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Statism (or Etatism) is a term that is used to describe:

Specific instances of state intervention in personal, social or economic matters.
A form of government or economic system that involves significant state intervention in personal, social or economic matters.

There is no precise definition of how much state intervention represents statism. Thus, at one extreme, some anarchists consider that the mere existence of a state is enough to make a country statist, while at the other extreme it is argued that only the most rigid totalitarian systems are truly statist. Usually, however, the term "statism" is used with a negative or derogatory connotation, in reference to something that the speaker considers to be an example of too much state intervention.

The term tends to be used most often with respect to economic policies. For instance, Merriam-Webster defines statism as a "concentration of economic controls and planning in the hands of a highly centralized government." Advocates of economic liberalism typically use the term "statism" to refer to any economy that does not conform to the standard of laissez-faire capitalism.

[edit] Usage in relation to other concepts

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

Most 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 state socialism).
There are branches of socialism that reject state intervention altogether (not including economic intervention), 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. See anarchist communism for the branch of communism that rejects government completely.

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.

On another note, Fascist Italy openly espoused statism as its centerpiece, and it based its ideology around a positive conception of an absolute state to such a degree that the system of Italian Fascism was even accused of statolatry.

[edit] Criticism and advocacy

Some opponents of statism argue that state intervention restricts individual freedom, and that this is immoral. 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. In contrast, supporters of statism argue that centralized economic planning, rather than a free market, produces greater economic benefits for everyone (see also planned economy). With regard to individual freedom, some statists argue that statism provides the same or even more freedom than a market-oriented economy, by giving some individuals (especially the poor) options and choices that would only be available to the wealthy under a strictly capitalist system.

There are also many who believe that a limited degree of statism is beneficial, but only as long as it does not become excessive. This view is held by most supporters of a mixed economy or various middle-ground or third way ideas, such as the American School.