20世纪西方国家经济政策的嬗变及理论启示

Transmutation of Economic Policies in Western Countries in the 20th Century and Its Theoretical Implications

20世纪西方国家经济政策的主要范式经历了从传统自由主义到凯恩斯主义再到新自由主义的转变,这是两次180°的转变,即从偏右转到偏左再转到偏右。这样一种转变背后的逻辑是:新、老自由主义与凯恩斯主义是两种对立的经济主张,各有优点和局限性。凯恩斯主义的缺点即是自由主义经济学的优点,反之亦然。这两种经济主张很难结合起来,因为其本质是对立的。故而,当自由主义经济学符合某一时期经济发展的客观要求时便会兴盛,但随着自由主义经济政策得到长期推行,其缺点也会暴露出来,进而造成经济问题。要克服自由主义经济政策带来的问题和弊端,政府必须采用与自由主义经济学相反的经济主张,凯恩斯主义经济学恰好能够克服此类问题。而在凯恩斯主义经济学兴起之后,其缺点也会暴露出来,发展到一定程度之后又必然要求用自由主义经济政策来克服凯恩斯主义经济政策引发的经济问题,这也正是20世纪西方国家经济政策嬗变的深层逻辑。

In the 20^th century, major economic policies in Western countries changed from traditional liberalism to Keynesianism, and then to neo-liberalism. The logic behind these changes is that liberalism （old and new） and Keynesianism are opposite to each other and both have their advantages and limitations. The disadvantages of Keynesianism are the advantages of liberal economics and vice versa. It is hard to combine these two economic theories as they are essentially opposed to each other. Therefore, when liberal economics accorded with the objective requirements of a certain period, it became popular. However, when liberal economic policies were pushed as long-term strategies, their disadvantages became apparent and caused economic problems. To address the problems and overcome the drawbacks caused by liberal economic policies, governments had to take opposite policies, and Keynesian economics could resolve these problems. But when Keynesian economics flourished, it also revealed its drawbacks. When it developed at a certain level, governments must turn to liberal economic policies for solutions to problems induced Keynesian economic policies. This is exactly the deep logic behind the changes of economic policies in Western countries in the 20^th century.