The Future Of State In The Economy: Russian Discussions And Their International Context

In this paper the different positions concerning the economic role of state are considering. Three main groups of views which taken place in Russia, are highlighting: liberals, statists and lefts. This analysis is providing on the basis of highlighting by Alexandr Buzgalin three main forms of state from the point of view of its economic functions: statebureaucrat, state-capital and state-society. The contradictory nature of the combination of these forms of state is demonstrating. Although the sides in the discussions, as a rule, don’t identifying themselves with one of these forms, the defense of one of this or that form became the main border between the positions of the sides. In the dependence of this the answer on the question of the nature of state is made. The key disagreements on the main questions of economic development, economic relations and institutions between the participants of discussions on economic functions of state are formulating. As a conclusion the view on the prospects of evolution of state in connection with the formation of the transitory post-market relations and on the interaction of state and society in this process is representing. The role of democratic institutions of civil society in this process is stressed. This attitude is presenting as an alternative to the liberal-conservative and statist trend.