Revisiting the Entrepreneurial State Argument: A Malaysian Perspective

The Entrepreneurial State was a concept that was put forth by Mariana Mazzucato in 2013. Since then, the concept has not received as much attention as it should, as the traditional view regarding entrepreneurship still holds sway among many academicians. This paper revisits this concept with an overview of Mazzucato’s main thesis, followed by a critique. Some lessons regarding the concept from the Malaysian perspective are shared. Mazzucato’s thesis regarding government intervention in the entrepreneurship process deserves greater attention, especially in light of the developments surrounding Covid-19. Further research areas are highlighted in the concluding remarks of this paper.