The Partner State

In a previous article, we have seen that according to the political economy of solidarity, the economic activity ought to be organized in a way in which it would enable all persons-in-community to enjoy the opportunity to be effectively engaged in economic processes on the basis of inclusion, equality, and reciprocal solidarity: on the one hand, all those who are actively involved in both market and non-market-oriented activities are welcomed to participate in decisionmaking processes so as to enable them to establish the conditions and the aims of their cooperation; on the other, the economic system produces and distributes alongside positional, also relational goods and services aimed at satisfying individual and collective needs that neither the state nor the market fulfill. In that article, however, one fundamental issue have not been addressed. Indeed, the question of how it might be possible to shift from an oppressive and domineering social order to one allowing a widespread social equality and cooperation remained unanswered. In this article we shall see that, if it is to ensure that the formal freedom of persons-in-community is to be turned into real freedom for all, then the State will have to promote structural policies by means of which they may enjoy equal positive opportunities and resources. As it is apparent, this strategy will require renewed and richer forms of state interventions. More specifically, the achievement of a more cohesive and just social order calls for a substantial transformation of the State into what can be defined a Partner State, that is, respectful of interests, decisions, and needs of each person-in-community.