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Etatizm is ... Etatism: the pros and cons

The very word statism came from the French "État", which in translation means "state". Etatism is the concept of thought in politics, which views the state as the highest achievement and goal of social development.

The term "statism"

The history of the term originates in the late 19th century in France. His father is considered to be the French-speaking Swiss Nyuma Dro. He was a successful politician and publicist. In 1881 and 1887 he was the president of the Swiss Union. Democrat by nature and ardent opponent of socialism, he advocated the strengthening of the centralization of the Swiss Confederation. Nyuma Drou began to use the term "statism" precisely in relation to a society in which the principles of statehood became more important than the principles of one's own freedom and individuality.

In any state there are elements of a system called statism. Pros and cons of this political phenomenon are actively explored in our days. However far not many see in this political something positive for the country.

Representatives of

The main idea, the positive and negative aspects of statism, has been studied for several centuries. This phenomenon is considered in different countries of the world. The main representatives of statism are philosophers, economists, politicians and historians. There are many treatises and articles devoted to this topic. The leading role of the state in society was written by such ancient philosophers as Aristotle and Plato, their idea was supported later in Italy - Niccolo Machiavelli, England - Hobbes, Germany - Hegel.

Principles of statism

The main principle is the main role of the state in all processes. This includes political, spiritual, economic, as well as the field of law-making. The task of the government apparatus is the need for constant influence on every sphere of social life. Based on this theory, society simply lacks the capacity for fair self-government: the government must "help" its citizens.

Another basic principle of statism is that the state is the source of development. Private companies, mass media, any kind of business do not have the right to exist. The government apparatus is a monopolist in any field of activity.

The next principle is called interventionism. What is nothing but a policy of interference of public persons in the life of private persons. The main goal of the government is to prevent the revolution, control industrial sectors, manage the mass and monitor all spheres of life of its people.

Another important principle of statism is politics, which seeks to establish the Kingdom of God everywhere. They impose religion on everyone, and thanks to this, the "churching" of the state takes place. In the opinion of convinced etatists, the church must have an influence on all spheres in the life of a person. In other words, the appropriation and privatization of religion takes place. However, such a policy, as history shows, is not doomed to success, it leads to totalitarianism, which increasingly resembles Bolshevism or National Socialism (Nazism, fascism).

pros

Consider the merits and demerits of etatism. One of the main advantages is that the people take part in building a strong, independent and civilized state that effectively performs the civilizing function. Living in the territory of such a country, people should not worry about their social vulnerability, the availability of jobs and a low level of the economy. They completely trust the state, and that, in turn, gives them confidence in the future. A simple scheme emerges: people give their vote in their favor, and they are obliged to provide their people with safe and socially secure living. But, as is known, not a single system operates in the ideal, so we turn to the reverse side of the coin.

Minuses

The state takes the position of absolutizing its role. In other words, it can be said that statism is the creation of a model of "God on earth." There is a so-called stateization of all forms of human life. There is no sphere of activity in which the government does not take part. In fact, statism is the control of small and medium-sized businesses, all structures, the food sphere, the social branches of human life. There is complete centralization of management. Legal statism includes the imposition of ideals and values. The destruction of elements of civil society creates the highest degree of police-bureaucratic statehood in the form of total statism.

The population simply turns into one huge inert mass, which can be easily controlled.

Ethics and Anarchism

Nikolo Machiavelli and Georg Wilhelm Hegel are the most cited theorists who developed the ideas of statism. They believed that statism is the exact opposite of anarchism. In their opinion, an effective way to combat riots in the streets, thefts, murders and other lawlessness is to increase the role of the state.

Machiavelli sought to revive the fragmented Italy, which at that time was suffering from devastation and robbery. His position was completely shared by Hegel, who wanted power for Germany. He sought to unite all Germans and convince them that they belonged to their state and must obey its laws.

Both Machiavelli and Hegel believed that the strong monopoly power of the state is the most important condition for the freedom of mankind. They were also convinced that the people should take part in the creation of legislation and solve important affairs of the state level. Such a model was later called the "moral state". And many countries use it even today.

Examples of statism

History remembers many examples of attempts at etatism. This includes such powers as Japan, China, the United States, Azejbardjan. Noticeable elements of this phenomenon, such as statism in Russia, too.

Yet one of the most striking examples in world practice was the first President of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Pasha-Ataturk (the years of the reign of 1923-1938). He strove to "win" all the enterprises and institutions, which, in his opinion, had the slightest interest for the state. His reforms and attempts to change the structure of the whole power entailed some changes. Ethics in the form of "Kemalism" recognized in Turkey as the official doctrine of the government, introduced it into the programs of the People's Republican Party (1931) and even consolidated constitutionally (in 1937).

To get a better understanding of the concept of statism, you can turn to literature. George Orwell wrote a stunningly realistic and believable novel, an anti-utopia, devoted chiefly to the idea of nationalization of everything around. The novel is called "1984", and it has huge popularity all over the world. The plot lies in the fact that in a fictional world the government apparatus keeps everything under its control and supervision: people are everywhere photographed. There is no place even for private life, and any branch is completely under the influence of the party. People are forbidden to think, be friends and love. Any unlawful action is strictly punishable by laws that change and are supplemented every day. After the publication of this work, the world held its breath and in fear expects such fate for itself.

Ethics in Russia

Legal statism has spread throughout the globe for several centuries. And Russia does not ignore this political phenomenon. Elements of this concept are inherent in every state.

In Russia, statism is manifested at the expense of the interests of government in metallurgical and oil and gas companies, as well as controlling small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, the government creates a monopoly in the largest companies that are the main taxpayers of the same country. For this reason, legislation relating to these industries is constantly changing not in favor of the common people.

However, unfortunately, tax arbitrariness is not the only sign of statism in Russia. The state also interferes in small business, even one that with low profit ensures cleanliness, order, access to food or services in small towns. Laws are constantly changing, sometimes they become simply unbearable for businessmen. Thus, it turns out that the government apparatus absorbs small private enterprises.

The etatism today

Today, all Western political scientists have come to a common opinion. They are convinced that the ideology of statism in practice turns into state capitalism, the militarization of the economy and leads to an arms race (such was, in particular, the communist regime).

For this and many other reasons, people all over the world stand for democracy and freedom of thought. They are more willing to coexist peacefully with the government apparatus and to cooperate on favorable terms. But no citizen desires to completely submit to and be under full authority and control from his state.

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