Why Pluralists Argue for the Separation of State and Economy - Essay Example

Why Pluralists Argue for the Separation of State and Economy

Separation of church and the state was premised on the fact that faith is an inalienable right to human life. The pluralist argues for the separation of the state and the economy in the same the state was separated from the church. Pluralist pushes for diversity which they view as an essential aspect to avoid concentration of dominance in one area. Pluralism is also unsupportive of the idea of monism and autocratic state. I will explore why the pluralist support separation of the state and economy. Firstly, I will explore the values and principles of the pluralist and relate the values with the reason for support of the separation of the state and the economy. Moreover, I will explain whether the separation between the state and economy is possible. In the essay, I will argue that the pluralist support separation of the state and economy to ensure that the hegemonic government control is reduced and equality and justice are restored in the society. I will conclude that despite the pluralist vision being well-informed, it is impossible to separate the state and economics.

One of the main values of pluralism is support of the multiculturalism in the society. Pluralist support diversity and variety within a state in the view that diversity prevents monolithic where there would only be one interpretation issues (Schwarzmantel 1994). Through adoption of multiculturalism people with different diversities can coexist peacefully. The pluralist argues that elite class will have their ideas implemented because they have power and resources that other people in the society lack (Schwarzmantel 1994). The pluralist supports the diverse concentration of power to ensure a that people are represented effectively, and no single set of values controls or dominate a people in the society. The elite class exercises their dominance because of inequality in access to power, resources, and opportunities (Schwarzmantel 1994). The governments are elected to represent people’s interests. However, the representation of public interest varies as different political parties have different values and they interpret and implement policies differently (Manley 1998). According to the pluralist view, allocation of power to different groups would play a vital role in ensuring that one group does not misuse its power (Schwarzmantel 1994). The pluralists support the pressure groups that pressure the government to implement policies that conform to the public interest. The elitism is of the view that they will always lead the others due to their intellectual superiority. However, through decentralization of power, the people can tame the influence and control of the elites.

Separation of state and economic would mean that people conduct their economic activities freely without government regulation, licenses, taxes, subsidies, permits and other restrictions that people encounter in their daily business life. The pluralist supports such an environment to avoid government from meddling in every aspect of the economy (Schwarzmantel 1994). The government has the sole power to control the economy, and the powers of the government are unlimited. The almost unlimited power of the government exposes the citizens to exploitation when there is lack of a mechanism to ensure that the government remains accountable. Increased control by the government on economic activities means that the government has the key to economic success and poverty in the society. The prestige and authority enjoyed by the government mean that it can do whatever it wishes with the wealth collected from the control and regulation of economic activities (Schwarzmantel 1994). The government is elected to represent the interests of the public, but it is not elected by everyone. Consequently, the government can decide to exploit and oppress some people and favor others (Hay, Lister, Marsh 2005). When there is lack of a strong mechanism to ensure that the government is transparent and accountable, the government will take its privilege and authority to lock opportunities for some people and unlock opportunities to those who elected them (Schwarzmantel 1994). The pluralist advocates for a situation in the economy where few individuals do not misuse power at the top.

The pluralist views the equality brought advocated by the government in the economic realm as not equal. Some of the governments use their position to confiscate national wealth and to surcharge people in areas that they are not supposed to be charged. The government uses its position to act as the game maker, and it redistributes the wealth in the form of tax breaks and subsidies to the special interest groups (Salanti, & Screpanti 1997). According to Karl Marx, the government was supposed to control economic factors of production to ensure justice and equality in the economic activities of a country (Hay, Lister, & Marsh 2005). However, the justice and equality are not achieved since the elite class mainly operates the government. The elites have their selfish interests embedded in the economic regulations.

The government prevents competition in the market to favor some industry players; it imposes heavy taxes on some companies and products to replace the product with new ones, it shuts businesses down and gives subsidies to some companies to ensure they survive the competition (Dahl 1979). However, the populist view is that competition between groups should be allowed to ensure that no one group controls and dominate the others (Schwarzmantel 1994). Moreover, governments are required to consider different alternatives to develop policies. However, the systems developed in the economic realm are mainly informed by corruption and the desire to control wealth in some few hands. According to pluralists, the competition should follow the rules of the game (Schwarzmantel 1994). However, most of the decisions made by the government are mainly informed by the interests of the superior interest groups. While the interest groups are supported to representing the overall interest of the public, some privileged interest groups represent their selfish interests.

In reality, it is impossible to separate the state and the economy in any place across the globe. State regulation of the economy is the biggest source of revenue for the government. It is through taxation, fines, license fees, permit fees, importation duty and other levies that the government finds funds to run its activities. Moreover, provision of critical social services such as education, health, and humanitarian support depends on the money levied through taxation of economic activities (Hay 2005). If the levying of taxes, fines and license fees would stop, the government will not be able to provide essential services to its people. Despite levies taxed by the government being exploitative at times, it plays a critical role in supporting vital activities that could otherwise be unavailable were not for the government.

Additionally, the government regulation in the economy ensures that important products and services are available to the public. Some crucial services such as healthcare and education are better when regulated by the government. Government regulation ensures that the quality of goods and services meets the expected standards to ensure safety and healthy living (Bolton, & Roland 1997). Moreover, production of sensitive products such as firearms requires government regulation to ensure that they are not misused, and the state of order is maintained.

Government regulation also ensures that businesses are operating in a conducive environment by providing essential support systems such roads, industrial parks and infrastructures that enhance the value of products. It is through regulation that the state acquires resources to provide infrastructures that support and enhance accessibility to the market and movement of products and services from one area to another (Bolton, & Roland 1997). The government helps to stabilize the operations of the companies to ensure that they do not engage in activities that harm the operations of other firms. Lack of regulation would be marked by the increased collapse of firms as they would engage in activities that hurt one another. The constant collapse of firms would mean that there is constant lack of essential products and services. Therefore, the government regulation supports the consistent production of essential products and ensures that the products are in the right places. It is through government regulation that companies engage in activities stipulated by the government within their area of operation.

The pluralists argue that the state interferes with free-market capitalism by imposing regulations that determine how the economy is run. The pluralist supports the idea that the government should not be the sole holder of power in control of the economy since the concentration of power in one area leads to misuse. Despite the state regulations distracting the free market capitalism, it is hard to separate the state and the economy. The link between the state and economy provide the government with a source of revenue that it uses in the development programs and provision of essential services in the society. The pluralist should push for increased accountability and transparency of power to mitigate oppression and exploitation by the government through regulations.