What Is the Suitable Amount of Government ?

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Government usually means the executive arm of the state. Most theorists agree that government should provide for the lives, stability, and economic and social well-being of citizens. (A Science of Politics, P.46) There are four basic approaches to promoting social welfare. They are laissez-faire, statism, socialism, and the welfare state. Laissez-faire refers to capitalism, which means an economic system of minimal government interference and supervision. Statism is a pre-capitalist system, an economic system of state ownership of major industries to enhance power and prestige of state. Socialism is an opposite of capitalism, which means an economic system of government ownership of industry, allegedly for good of whole society. The welfare state refers to the economic system of major government redistribution of income to poorer citizens. (A Science of Politics, P.47-48) Personally, I believe laissez-faire is the best approach. A laissez-faire system provides people with a high degree of freedom. The government owns very little industry and rarely redistributes capital through welfare programs. The nation’s prosperity depends on individuals and different private enterprises. Since there is little government interference, people’s wealth can only be gained through their own work. This in turns raises people’s incentives to work hard, and thus increases the pace of the country’s economic growth. According to Thomas Jefferson, “That government is best that governs least.” The laissez-faire system is exactly the approach that meets this requirement. However, some may be concerned that the poor is neglected under this approach. Without government welfare, the less well-off may not be able to sustain their living. In view of this, I believe modern liberalism is a good way to cope with this problem. Modern liberalism protects people from a sometimes unfair economic

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