The role of the state in economic life (anarchism): The concept of state and economy in anarchism

The role of the state in economic life and anarchism- these are concepts that are mutually exclusive. At present, the role of the state in any economy is obvious. One of the main principles of anarchism is the lack of coercion of power, the freedom of man from any kind of coercion, which contradicts the notion of the state. For today, it participates in economic life everywhere, in addition, it uses various methods of regulation.

State, economy and anarchism

The role of the state in the economic life of anarchismdenies in general, as a concept. First of all, because from the point of view of this trend, any state is an exploiter and oppressor even more cruel and sophisticated than any capitalist. The state in its notion is not an abstract formation, but a hierarchy of officials and military, observing, first of all, the will of those who control them, but in no case a separate individual.

Negative anarchism applies to the marketeconomy, which exists in the vast majority of countries. Does not recognize a planned economy (centralized planning). The economy, according to anarchists, is the production of a product produced on demand, which takes into account the wishes of members of society, without outside interference.

Anarchism sees the role of the state as actionsthe most cruel exploiter. The state manages society, relations within it, cares about the security of the country, ideally it should respect the interests of every citizen, which in life is not observed and, of course, to control economic relations. For this, as mentioned above, various methods are used. Let's consider some of them.

Legal

Anarchism denies the state as an instrumentcoercion of power, affirms the freedom of man from any kind of coercion. Absolute freedom of man, not bound by the norms of morality and law, is the basic postulate of anarchism. The role of the state in economic life consists of creating a legal framework, which, in the opinion of anarchists, limits human freedom.

The main way to regulate the economythere are laws that help coordinate the relationship between participants in the market. The main role here is played, as it were, by antimonopoly legislation, which should deter monopolists, laws in support of small and medium-sized businesses. All this makes the economy diverse. But, as we know, from the point of view of anarchism, the role of the state in economic life is nothing other than the exploitation of man, the limitation of his rights and freedoms. The same monopolists, through their representatives in the legislative bodies, lobbied for any laws beneficial to them. Therefore, anarchism denies the state itself as a cruel exploiter.

Financial and economic methods

The ways in which the state is capable ofregulate economic life, a lot. Applying them, the state significantly affects both the economy of its country and other countries - participants in the process. In the hands of the state, apart from legal, there are financial and economic ways that anarchism denies in principle. These include:

• Taxes. By reducing or increasing their size, the state can significantly influence the commodity producer.
• Monetary policy. This, above all, the ability of the state to manage the money supply and credit. Responsibility for its conduct lies with the central bank of the state. Its function is to adjust the interest rate.
• Customs duties. By regulating the introduction of customs duties on goods, raising or lowering them, the state supports its own commodity producer, making its goods more competitive.
• Public investment. This is a kind of support for a project that is beneficial to the state.

Production and consumption

The role of anarchism in the economic life of anymodern country is difficult to imagine, since it completely denies the market economy, as well as the planned one. He has his own principle of economics, based on two basic postulates: federation and autonomy of the masses. That is, certain groups of people (associations, communes) compile lists of the needs of a given society, all of which are connected together, the demand is calculated, according to which the required product is produced. Do not be confused with planning or modern economic programs.

At one time Prince Kropotkin formulatedthe principle that consumption is primary, production is secondary. That is, they are not programs or plans made by someone, but the necessary need approved by the "lower classes". In the modern state, on the contrary, production is primary, secondary consumption.

Modern economic programs, which are recommendatory in nature, are a kind of method for regulating economic life.