State
14.99 €
In stock
State
14.99 €
Anthony de Jasay is one of the most original political philosophers of modern Europe.
This book develops the theory of the political dynamics of the state. Unlike most common political and philosophical concepts, de Jasay views the state not as a passive instrument serving the interests of society as a whole, a class or social group, etc., but as an actively acting subject pursuing its own interests. This interpretation is similar to the approach of economists to the study of a manufacturing firm, but unlike the latter, the state seeks to maximize not profits, but the volume of power and use the latter to achieve its own ultimate goals, whatever they may be. The main instrument of the state in this case is winning the support of certain groups of subjects by redistributing wealth taken from others in their favor. The internal logic of the state's development inevitably leads to it acquiring totalitarian features over time, regardless of the subjective qualities and intentions of specific rulers.
This book develops the theory of the political dynamics of the state. Unlike most common political and philosophical concepts, de Jasay views the state not as a passive instrument serving the interests of society as a whole, a class or social group, etc., but as an actively acting subject pursuing its own interests. This interpretation is similar to the approach of economists to the study of a manufacturing firm, but unlike the latter, the state seeks to maximize not profits, but the volume of power and use the latter to achieve its own ultimate goals, whatever they may be. The main instrument of the state in this case is winning the support of certain groups of subjects by redistributing wealth taken from others in their favor. The internal logic of the state's development inevitably leads to it acquiring totalitarian features over time, regardless of the subjective qualities and intentions of specific rulers.
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- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author