Changes in national functions

Author: (American) Spurlber N. (Author), Yang Junfeng et al. (Translator)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-02-01
Features: The function of the state is a topic that has long attracted attention both domestically and internationally. During China's process of reform and opening-up, especially in the transition from a planned economy to a socialist market economy, how to transform, define, and exercise state functions has garnered significant attention from the Chinese government, experts, scholars, and the general public. This book examines, from a historical perspective, changes in certain functions of Eastern and Western countries over the past two centuries. It focuses on the role these changes have played in the scope of public ownership and public welfare in major industrialized economies (primarily referring to the UK, France, Germany, and the US, sometimes including all industrialized countries in the G7) and transitional economies (primarily referring to Russia, and occasionally, the Central and Southern European satellite states of the former Soviet Union). These changes have sparked insightful debates about the size, role, and functions of government, as well as significant shifts, including changes in the boundaries between the public and private sectors, the implementation of large-scale privatization, and a reevaluation of the nature and scope of public welfare. These debates and changes are of immense importance for understanding the existing and potential scope of state functions in any economy.
Historically, what factors led to the expansion of public ownership, even to complete public ownership? What factors contributed to the development of the state welfare system? What factors caused the reversal of these trends—that is, the shift from public to private ownership through privatization, and the reduction of state revenue allocated to social welfare purposes? To what extent do these trends foreshadow broader policies aimed at reducing the scope, size, and economic functions of the state? Or, on the other hand, might other factors come into play to promote rather than further shrink the scope of state economic activity, leading to new expansions? These are the questions this book attempts to explore.
For experts, scholars, and students in relevant fields in China, including those studying the state and economic processes, particularly macroeconomic policy and decision-making, and the transition from transitional economies to market-oriented economies; those specializing in the long-term transformation of the state and its various forms, as well as the rationality of the public sector; and those in political science and sociology who aim to draw lessons from major long-term policies in the events surrounding the early 1980s. This book offers some reference value. Of course, due to well-known reasons, the book's evaluation of socialist states is biased, and some of the views on China are unacceptable to us. Readers should pay attention and exercise discernment.