Government's Economic Role: Ideologies & the Organic View

Ideological Foundations of Government's Economic Role

Public finance economists examine both the actual effects of government taxation and spending, as well as what these activities should be. Views on government's economic role are shaped by ideological perspectives on the relationship between individuals and the state.

Individualistic vs. Collectivist Approaches

Two main approaches influence public policy and economic decisions:

1. Individualistic Approach: Prioritizes individual freedom and limits government intervention.
2. Collectivist Approach: Emphasizes collective well-being and a more significant government role.

The Organic View of Government

This perspective considers society as a living organism, where each individual is a part that contributes to the functioning of the whole. In this view, the government acts as the heart that guides and directs the organism towards its objectives.

Key Features of the Organic View

• Community Over the Individual: The organic view prioritizes the common good over individual interests. Each person has a role to play in society, and their value is measured by their contribution to the collective well-being.
• The State Sets the Objectives: In this view, the state is responsible for defining and pursuing the objectives of society. The government acts as the leader that guides society towards its destiny.
• Individual Activity in Service to the Community: Individual actions and decisions are considered valuable only if they serve the common good. Individual freedom is subordinated to the interests of the community.

Historical Examples and Variations

• Plato's Republic: In this philosophical work, Plato describes an ideal society where each individual has an assigned role to contribute to the common good. Justice and social harmony are the primary objectives.
• Nazism: The Nazi ideology took the organic view to an extreme, considering the state as a means to achieve racial purity and domination. The individual was completely subordinated to the state and its objectives.
• Ayatollah Khomeini: In the Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini argued that the government should work to create a just and pious society, where individuals are guided by religious principles.

In summary, the organic view of government prioritizes the community over the individual and considers the state as the leader that guides society towards its objectives. While this perspective has been used to justify authoritarian regimes, it also raises important questions about the relationship between the individual and society.