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Basic principles non – interfering (Laissezist) state: 

The following are the two basic principles of a non – interfering state:

1. State is a necessary evil: 

As per the thinkers of policy of non – interference, it is quite necessary to have a state for security, peace and establishment of a system, but interference in the liberty of an individual leads to impediments in all-round development of an individual. Hence, those who believe in non – interference, regard the state as a necessary evil.

2. Complete freedom to an individual: 

The supporters of policy of non – interference extend support to optimum liberty of an individual. Non-interventionists believe in laissez – faire, which means, they believe in policy of non-interference. They believe in leaving people to their fate. They have the view that a state should not interfere in the liberty of an individual.

Objectives of a public welfare state: 

The two main objectives of a public welfare state are: 

1. To make use of individual liberties possible: 

The purpose of a public welfare state is to make possible the use of real freedom by citizens and also to ensure freedom of an individual in accordance with the scope of a state.

2. To prepare welfare planning and to provide basic amenities to its citizens: 

The second main objective / duty of a state is to form different plans for welfare of all sections of the society and also to provide basic amenities and facilities to the citizens.

(c)  Fascists

According to Aristotle, “State is an organisation of families and villages. Its objective is to establish a complete and self – reliant life, which means a happy and respectful life”.

• Public opinion 
• Religion (dharma).

The doctrine of non – interference.

(c) Laissezist view

(a) is a means, an individual an accomplishment

(d) All of the above

Directive Principles of State Policy.

• Doctrine of non – interference 
• Concept of public welfare state, 
• Gandhian thought of a state.

Arguments against a non – interfering state: 

The following are two arguments in opposition to non – interfering state: 

1. An individual is always a supreme judge of his own interests: 

Believers of non-interference think that an individual is the best judge of his interests and therefore, a state should not intervene into his activities and matters. But critics believe that every individual cannot understand what is best for him and he also does not have the capacity to understand what is right or what is wrong for him. Therefore, a state should interfere to ensure his welfare and well being.

2. State is a welfare institution: 

The thinkers of policy of non – interference consider the state as a necessary evil, whereas the state is infact a welfare institution. Development and progress in all the countries has been possible with the help of the state. A state undertakes many activities for the welfare of an individual. Thus, to call a state an evil is not right.

• State is a necessary evil 
• Full liberty to an individual

To restrict the scope of the state.

According to Dr. Abrahim, “Welfare state: 

operation of its economic system is done with the objective of optimum distribution of goods beyond its income.”

The concept of public welfare state: 

This is a modern principle of scope of state. This word is especially used to denote such a state which is not contented by merely making arrangements with regard to justice, security and internal system for its citizens, but it also makes all efforts in the direction of making improvements in all the attributes of life for their well – being.

The concept of public welfare state is an amalgamation of individualism and socialism. It does not abduct the freedom of an individual like socialism and resolves or dispose off maximum state activities like individualism. The main objective, which works in the back of public welfare state, is to improvise happiness and prosperity of an individual, and for this objective, a state should perform necessary service – related activities.

In the development of the concept of public welfare state, the contribution from England has been remarkable. Political thinkers such as J.S. Mill and Bentham have included the philosophy of a welfare state in utilitarian doctrine. In the times of Queen Elizabeth I of England, the advent of ‘Rule of poor’ was intended to benefit those who were poor and physically impaired. The spirit of public welfare was embedded in it.

The fabian socialist philosophers of England candidly contributed in the development of the concept of welfare state. The labour party government of England adopted and implemented many progressive policies by nationalization of industries. In moden period, Prof. Harold Laski is thought to be the leading thinker who have propounded the concept of a welfare state.

The development of non – interventionist individualism: 

The sequence of development of non – interventionist individualism is as follows: 

1. The seeds of non – interventionist individualism are also found in sophist thinkers of Greece. They have put an individual above the state. 

2. According to epicurean philosophers, there is no existence of a state without an individual’s self – interests. 

3. As a result of industrial revolution in the 18th century, there developed individualism in the economic field. Many economists such as Thomas Malthus, Ricardo, Adam Smith, etc. propagated the concept that a state should not interfere in economic field. 

4. In modern times, in political philosophy, individualism is the gift of the 19th century. First of all, Bentham and James Mill propagated it. Its full expression is found in the creations of John Stuart Mill and Herbert Spencer in the mid 19th century.

(d)  Decorum

Thought of non – interference (Laissezist concept).

• Liberalism 
• Privatisation 
• Universalismd (Globalisation).

Amalgamation of individualism and socialism

Non – interventionists put this moral argument in support of individualism that every person has his distinct personality and so it is the duty of the state that every person should be allowed to develop his ‘being’ as per his own choice.

James Mill’s principle is that if a state interferes the least in people’s matters, it can provide maximum happiness to them.

In 1948 Karl Marx and Engel publish the ‘Communist Mainfesto.

• Bureaucracy 
• Lack of motivation

(d) Defiance of public opinion

• A person is not always the best judge of his interests. 
• A state is a welfare institution.

To oppose the intervention of a state in economic field.

Arguments in support of non – interventionist state: 

The following are two main arguments in support of non – interventionist state: 

1. Scientific argument: 

Scientist Herbert Spencer, supported the doctrine / principle of non – interventionism by deriving new convention from life sciences. According to him, those who are able and capable will move forward in life, and those who are incapable and weak will get eliminated. It is the rule of nature and it should be enforced in the society as well. This can be applied in the society only when all the people are left independent. According to this principle, every individual should be given liberty by the state to ensure his development. 

2. Economic argument: 

According to economists such as Adam Smith, Thomson, Malthus and Mill, etc. every person has absolute understanding of his loss and gain. A state should not have control in economic field for the sake of economic development because with the intervention of a state, the joy and motivation of an individual gets hampered. And as such, government should follow the policy of non-intervention in business sector.

Importance of non – interventionist state: 

As a political philosophy, non – interventionism is the gift of the 19th century. First of all, Bentham and James Mill propagated it. 

Importance of non – interventionist state is presented below in the form of various important points: 

1. In order to lessen the unnecessary intervention of a state, non-interventionist thought has played an important role. 

2. The concept of liberalism, privatisation and globalization that have developed in modern period, are sophisticated forms of non – interventionist state. 

3. The principle that, an individual is an accomplishment and state is a means, will keep on showing the way to all democratic countries. 

4. As a result of the principle of non – interventionism of state, the socialist and communist doctrines emerged, and today, individualism has become a subject of history.

(c) Principle of non – interference

• Every individual is well conversant with his loss – profit 
• For economic development, a state should not intervene in economic sector 
• With the intervention of a state, a person’s spirit and motivation gets deflated

To ensure freedom of an individual by expanding the scope of a state.

(d) State – less arrangement

(d) All these

Public welfare state.

• Bentham 
• James Mill

One should be allowed to work in accordance with his will because a person is the best guardian of his personal interests. This accepts the sovereignty of an individual and is in favour of granting maximum liberty to an individual.

(b)  England

(c) Policy of non – interference

The principle of non – interference.

(a) Individualism

Non – interfering thought or Non – interfering policy of thought with regard to scope of a state: 

Non – interventionism means – A person should be allowed to work in accordance with his choice or wish because he is the best guardian of his interests. This accepts primacy of an individual and supports granting optimum liberty to an individual. The objective of non – interventionist doctrine is to restrict the scope of a state. This principle is also called policy of non – intervention or non – interference. This principle provides maximum importance to an individual.

The fundamental idea of this principle is “an individual is not for a state, instead, a state is for an individual.” The mission of a state or other institutions is the development of an individual and it is not the duty of an individual to serve the state. A state should provide maximum freedom to an individual and should interfere the least into his activities. In political philosophy, this thought is a gift of the 19th century. First of all, this thought was propagated by Bentham and James Mill. Its full expression and explanation was done by John Stuart and Herbert Spencer.

England has contributed mainly in the development of the concept of public welfare state.

• Adam Smith. 
• Malthus.

Related to Anarchy.

(a) Safety from foreign attacks

Functions of a modern state: 

For the functions of states, definite rules cannot be formed. The range of functions of a state keeps on changing in accordance with time, circumstances, line of thought and necessities. The functions of a state are dependent on the development of economic resources, awareness of people and political awareness. 

The functions of a modern state can be classified into two parts: 

(1) Compulsory functions. 

(2) Optional functions.

1. Compulsory functions: 

Compulsory functions imply those functions, which ought to be performed necessarily by the government. That is, if these functions are not per formed, the very existence of a state may fall in danger. 

The following are the compulsory functions of a state:

• Security of the country from foreign attacks. 
• Maintenance of internal peace and order. 
• Formation of crime and punishment-related rules, and management and system of delivery of justice. 
• Formation of laws, because by laws alone, can a state transform its sovereignty into a factual form. 
• To collect revenue.

2. Optional functions: 

Optional functions imply those functions which are not mandatory for the existence of the state, or the liberty and security of an individual. These keep on changing in accordance with country, time and circumstances. These functions are known by the name of public welfare functions. 

The following are the optional functions of a state :

(1) Education system: 

General public should be provided education and political awareness in a good state. Therefore, it is the duty of a state that a proper system is made to educate its people. 

(2) Cleanliness and public health: 

For the remedy from diseases, a state should open hospitals. It should also check the purity of eatables in the light of ensuring good health of its people. 

(3) Control on business and industry: 

A state should have appropriate control on business and industries, so that there is well – being of businessmen and progress of the country. While formulating industryrelated rules, the state should ensure that there is no injustice done towards the workers. 

(4) Operation of industries of public interest: 

A state should operate large – scale ‘ industries and business houses of public importance in social interest. 

(5) Social reforms: 

It is the duty of a state that all its people make all – round development, by eliminating social evils. It is also the duty of a state to provide proper security and treatment to the handicapped, blind, the deaf, the mentally disabled, etc. 

(6) Management of public transport: 

Arrangement of public transport is also the duty of a state. The arrangement of roads, train, bus, maritime and air modes of travel should be made by the state because civilization and culture develop only by means of transportation. 

(7) Facility of entertainment: 

The state should make arrangement of parks, TV, center, cinema halls and reading rooms, etc. for the entertainment of its citizens.

(d) To stay away from social service

Establishment of peace and order.