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{{AboutShort description|Concept of the state in a capitalist system}}
{{about|the concept of the [[Sovereign state|state]] in a capitalist system|variants of capitalism based on state-owned business|state capitalism|}}
{{Capitalism sidebar|Relatedrelated}}
{{Marxism sidebar}}
The '''capitalist state ''' is the [[state (polity)|state]], its functions, and the form of organization it takes within [[Capitalist mode of production (Marxist theory)|capitalist]] socioeconomic systems]].<ref name="Recent theories of the capitalist State, 1977">''Jessop, Bob (January 1977). "Recent theoriesTheories of the capitalistCapitalist State". '', by Jessop, Bob. 1977. Soviet Studies, pp. 353-373, vol''. 1,: no4. 4, Janpp. 1977353–373.</ref> This concept is often used interchangeably with the concept of the "modern state";. howeverDespite their common functions, there are many recognized differences in sociological characteristics among capitalist states, despite their common functions.<ref name = "Morishima 1976, 1">Morishima, Michio (1976). [https://books.google.com/books?id=aC45AAAAIAAJ ''The Economic Theory of Modern Society''.]. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 1. {{ISBN|0-521-21088-7}}. p. 1.</ref>▼
 
The primary functions of the capitalist state are to provide a legal framework and infrastructural framework that is conducive to [[business]] enterprise and the [[accumulation of capital]]. Different normative theories exist on the necessary and appropriate function of the state in a [[capitalist economy]], with proponents of ''[[Laissez-faire|laissez-faire]]'' favoring a state limited to the provision of [[Public good (economics)|public goodsgood]]s and safeguarding private property rights, while proponents of [[Economic interventionism|interventionism]] stress the importance of regulation, intervention and economicmacroeconomic stabilization infor providing thea favorable frameworkenvironment for the accumulation of capital and business.<ref>{{cite book |title=Comparative Economic Transformations: Mainland China, Hungary, the Soviet Union, and Taiwan|author1-link=Wu Yu-shan|author=Yu-Shan Wu|year=1995|publisher=Stanford University Press|pages=8|quote=In laissez-faire capitalism, the state restricts itself to providing public goods and services that the economy cannot generate by itself and to safeguarding private ownership and the smooth operation of the self-regulating market.}}</ref> ▼
▲The '''capitalist state''' is the [[state (polity)|state]], its functions, and the form of organization it takes within [[capitalist]] socioeconomic systems.<ref name="Recent theories of the capitalist State, 1977">''Recent theories of the capitalist State'', by Jessop, Bob. 1977. Soviet Studies, pp. 353-373, vol. 1, no. 4, Jan. 1977.</ref> This concept is often used interchangeably with the concept of the "modern state"; however there are many differences in sociological characteristics among capitalist states, despite their common functions.<ref name = "Morishima 1976, 1">Morishima, Michio (1976). [https://books.google.com/books?id=aC45AAAAIAAJ ''The Economic Theory of Modern Society''.] New York: Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|0-521-21088-7}}. p. 1.</ref>
 
Thus, thinkers in the [[Marxist]] tradition often refer to the capitalist state as the [[Liberal democracy#Marxist criticism|dictatorship of the bourgeoisie]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Duncan, Graeme|title=Democracy and the Capitalist state|publisher=Cambridge University Press|date=March 1989|isbn=9780521280624|page=85}}</ref> Thinkers in the [[Instrumental Marxism|instrumental Marxist]] tradition stress the role of policymakers and political elites sharing a common business or class background, leading to their decisions reflecting their class interest. This is differentiated from more contemporary notions of state capture by specific business interests for the benefit of those specific businesses and not the ruling class or capitalist system as a whole, which is variously referred to as [[crony capitalism]] or [[corporatocracy]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Capitalist State|author=Jessop, Bob|year=1982|publisher=Oxford}}</ref>
▲The primary functions of the capitalist state are to provide a legal framework and infrastructural framework that is conducive to [[business]] enterprise and the [[accumulation of capital]]. Different normative theories exist on the necessary and appropriate function of the state in a capitalist economy, with proponents of [[Laissez-faire|laissez-faire]] favoring a state limited to the provision of public goods and safeguarding private property rights, while proponents of interventionism stress the importance of regulation, intervention and economic stabilization in providing the framework for the accumulation of capital and business.<ref>{{cite book |title=Comparative Economic Transformations: Mainland China, Hungary, the Soviet Union, and Taiwan|author=Yu-Shan Wu|year=1995|publisher=Stanford University Press|pages=8|quote=In laissez-faire capitalism, the state restricts itself to providing public goods and services that the economy cannot generate by itself and to safeguarding private ownership and the smooth operation of the self-regulating market.}}</ref>
 
According to [[Dylan John Riley]], [[Nicos Poulantzas]] argued that "all capitalist States had the dual task of preventing the political organization of the dominated classes, and of organizing the [[Ruling class|dominant class]]".{{Sfn|Poulantzas|2019|loc=Foreword}}
For [[Karl Marx]] the capitalist state is understood to be a reflection of the economic base, with its chief function reflecting the needs of the capitalist economy. This involves creating the legal and infrastructural framework - the superstructure - that facilitates capitalism, as well as balancing the needs of the various classes to ensure the perpetuation of capitalism. This often involves attempts to safeguard state policy from being used to benefit specific capitalists or firms at the expense of the bourgeoisie as a whole. [[Karl Marx]] hence described the function of the executive of a capitalist state as "nothing but a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie". Specifically, in Marx's view, the capitalist state necessarily exists to serve the interests of capitalists (referred to as "the bourgeoisie"), not as a defect but as a necessity and necessary feature of capitalism. Thus thinkers in the Marxist tradition often refer to the capitalist state as the ''Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie''.<ref>{{cite book |author= Graeme Duncan |title= Democracy and the Capitalist state |publisher= Cambridge University Press |date=March 1989 |isbn= 9780521280624|page = 85|quote=}}</ref> Thinkers in the [[Instrumental Marxist]] tradition stress the role of policymakers and political elites sharing a common business or class background, leading to their decisions reflecting their class interest. This is differentiated from more contemporary notions of state capture by specific business interests for the benefit of those specific businesses and not the ruling class or capitalist system as a whole, which is variously referred to as [[crony capitalism]] or "[[Corporatocracy]]".
<ref>{{cite book |title=The Capitalist State|author=Bob Jessop|year=1982|publisher=Oxford|pages=|quote=}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
*[[Capital accumulation]]▼
*[[Capitalism]]▼
*[[Capitalist mode of production (Marxist theory)|Capitalist mode of production]]▼
*[[Corporatocracy]]▼
*[[Bourgeoisie#The Dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie|Dictatorship of the Bourgeoisie]]
*[[Economic interventionism]]▼
*[[Liberal democracy]]▼
*[[Socialist state]]▼
*[[Sovereign state]]▼
*[[Communist state]]
*[[State capitalism]]
* [[Big government]]
▲* [[Capital accumulation]]
▲* [[Capitalism]]
▲* [[Capitalist mode of production (Marxist theory)|Capitalist mode of production]]
▲* [[SovereignCommunist state]]
▲* [[Corporatocracy]]
▲* [[Economic interventionism]]
▲* [[Liberal democracy]]
* [[Patriarchy]]
▲* [[Socialist state]]
 
== References ==
 
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}
 
=== Bibliography ===
==Further reading==▼
*{{Cite book|last=Poulantzas|first=Nicos|title=The Third International and the Problem of Fascism|publisher=[[Verso Books]]|year=2019|isbn=9781786635815|translator-last=White|translator-first=Judith}}
* Barak, Gregg (ed.) (1991). [https://books.google.com/books?id=6EPtqOoXVMAC ''Crimes by the Capitalist State: An Introduction to State Criminality''.] Albany, New York: State University of New York Press. {{ISBN|0-7914-0584-2}}.▼
 
* Duncan, Graeme. [https://books.google.com/books?id=tMk8AAAAIAAJ ''Democracy and the Capitalist State''.] New York: Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|9780521280624}}.▼
▲== Further reading ==
* Jessop, Bob (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=OXCryro7GdEC ''The Future of the Capitalist State''.] Cambridge: Polity Press. {{ISBN|0-7456-2272-0}}.▼
{{Library resources box}}
* Jessop, Bob (1990). [https://books.google.com/books?id=HcxBBhXjAUcC ''State Theory: Putting the Capitalist State in its Place''.] University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. {{ISBN|0-271-00735-4}}.
* SavilleBarak, JohnGregg (1994ed.) (1991). [https://books.google.com/books?id=EOIDAQAAIAAJ6EPtqOoXVMAC ''TheCrimes Consolidation ofby the Capitalist State,: 1800-1850An Introduction to State Criminality''].] London and BoulderAlbany, ColoradoNew York: PlutoState University of New York Press. {{ISBN|978-0-74537914-08980584-2}}.
* SzymanskiDuncan, Albert (1978)Graeme. [https://books.google.com/books?id=o92DAAAAMAAJtMk8AAAAIAAJ ''The Capitalist StateDemocracy and the PoliticsCapitalist of ClassState''].] Cambridge,New MassachusettsYork: WinthropCambridge University PublishersPress. {{ISBN|978-08762610579780521280624}}.
▲* DuncanJessop, GraemeBob (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=tMk8AAAAIAAJOXCryro7GdEC ''DemocracyThe andFuture of the Capitalist State''.]. New YorkCambridge: Cambridge UniversityPolity Press. {{ISBN|97805212806240-7456-2272-0}}.
▲* BarakJessop, GreggBob (ed.) (19911990). [https://books.google.com/books?id=6EPtqOoXVMACHcxBBhXjAUcC ''CrimesState byTheory: Putting the Capitalist State: Anin Introduction to Stateits CriminalityPlace''].] Albany, NewUniversity YorkPark: Pennsylvania State University of New York Press. {{ISBN|0-7914271-058400735-24}}.
▲* JessopSaville, BobJohn (20021994). [https://books.google.com/books?id=OXCryro7GdECEOIDAQAAIAAJ ''The FutureConsolidation of the Capitalist State, 1800-1850''.]. CambridgeLondon and Boulder, Colorado: PolityPluto Press. {{ISBN|978-0-74567453-22720898-02}}.
* Szymanski, Albert (1978). [https://books.google.com/books?id=o92DAAAAMAAJ ''The Capitalist State and the Politics of Class'']. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Winthrop Publishers. {{ISBN|978-0876261057}}.
 
[[Category:Capitalism]]
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