THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN THE ECONOMY
IntroductionThe recent past has seen fundamental changes in the government’srole in the economy. With the defeat of socialism and the worldwideonslaught of privatization, a new scenario is emerging. The direct roleof government is shrinking and its indirect role is increasing. Arguably,privatization does not necessarily mean “no government,” but rather“better government.” As a result, the following new issues are emerging:What is the extent and nature of government regulation in theeconomy? How can government play an effective role in the redistributionof economic power and still keep the free market economy undisturbed?What structural changes are necessary to protect the publicinterest? How can government itself be regulated? How can we preventgovernment from becoming an instrument of injustice and tyranny?The present paper seeks to discuss these questions from the Islamicperspective.Need for GovernmentWe need government to provide the fundamental legal and socialframework for a free market economy. This framework implies necessarylaws that define the property and other rights, enforce contracts,and describe the status and form of various business organizations. Weneed government to define the rules of the game. Through legislationthe government acts as a referee and forbids foul play. It prohibitscheating and the sale of adulterated foods and drugs; it establishes ...