奥尔森的国家起源理论

On Olson's Theory of the State Origin

国家起源理论中的契约理论只是对某种国家形态及功能的事后正当化论说,无法成为一种对国家起源的解释性理论。在奥尔森的理论中,国家是由固定下来的匪帮转化来的,专制国家权力的产生是拥有暴力或私人权力的主体以自身利益最大化的方式运用私人权力的结果。国家权力的运作,无论是征收赋税还是提供公共物品,都取决于权力拥有者自身利益最大化的逻辑。不同的共容利益导致了民主与专制政府的不同行为模式。相对于契约理论,奥尔森的理论是一种更富解释力且更为简约从而更具竞争优势的理论。

The ＂contact theory＂ can not effectively explain the origin of a state for it is just a post - argumentation of the existence and function of a certain state. According to Olson＇ s theory, the state is transformed from stationary bandit. The autocratic state power is formed in such a way that individuals resorting to violence exercise private power to maximize self - interest. The exercise of the state power, such as how to tax and provide public goods is ultimately determined by the ruler＇ s pursuit of self - interest. The different encompassing interests lead to different behaving patterns between autocrat and democracy. Compared with the ＂contract theory＂, Olson＇ s ＂bandit theory＂ is a more competitive theory with simple and powerful explanatory function.