Staterather

Staterather is a neologism used in political science and policy discussions to describe a tendency to prefer state-led interventions over market-based solutions. The term combines 'state' and 'rather' to convey a stance in which public governance is favored in the design of policy.

Although not established as a formal theory, it appears in comparative politics debates, public-choice discussions, and policy analyses as a shorthand for a particular policy posture.

A staterather position might favor public provision of services, regulation, or direct government investment, even when private alternatives exist. In debates over healthcare, education funding, or industrial policy, advocates adopt a staterather approach by arguing that state capability and equity justify public provision or oversight.

Critics argue that the term risks oversimplifying trade-offs, underestimating administrative capacity constraints, and conflating fiscal or political constraints with ideological preference.

Related concepts include state capacity, the welfare state, industrial policy, and considerations of market failure. As a label rather than a formal theory, the relevance and interpretation of staterather vary by country, issue area, and author.