Publication
The Korean Economic Forum
Views on the State in Fiscal Policies
Dongsuk Oak (Incheon National University)Year 2023Vol. 15No. 4
Abstract
The problem of how to define the role of the government in public finance is
the same as the view of the state(nation) that defines the reason for the
existence of the state. There are various perspectives on the role of the
government in the public finance, and this study classifies them according to the
types of the view on the state. The views can be broadly divided into two
categories: Based on the theory of state organism, the absolutist view of the
state that the government should pursue values that are essentially different from
the market; and the view of the state that the government and the market are
compatible means that pursue essentially the same value based on the social
contract theory. The theory of public finance reflects the latter view of the state,
as it basically derives social welfare based on the utility of individuals. This can
be further divided into three views: as a holistic plan for optimizing social
welfare, the cost-benefit analysis that promotes partial improvement of social
welfare, and the view as a service provider. Although it is difficult to give a clear
answer on which fiscal and state views are desirable for fiscal management, this
study argues that it is desirable to promote the evolutionary development of
society while recognizing the government as a service provider.