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The political economy of Jean-Baptiste Say's republicanism
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 05:21 authored by Richard WhatmoreOrthodoxy maintains that Jean-Baptiste Say was a liberal political economist and the French disciple of Adam Smith. This article seeks to question such an interpretation through an examination of Say's early writings, and especially the first edition of his famous Traité d'économie politique (Paris, 1803). It is shown that Say was a passionate republican in the 1790s, but a republican of a particular kind. Through the influence of the radical Genevan exile Etienne Clavière, Say became convinced that only a republican constitution would protect the gains of the Revolution. Furthermore, the foundation of a successful republic lay in the pursuit of specific virtuous manners, and in particular independence, equality, frugality and industriousness. Although in 1803 Say turned against supporters of republican constitutions he continued to demand the reformation of manners. His ultimate vision was a science of political economy which would foster republican manners, by instructing both legislators and the general populace.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
History of Political ThoughtISSN
0143-781XPublisher
Imprint AcademicIssue
3Volume
19Page range
439-456Pages
18.0Department affiliated with
- History Publications
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No DOIFull text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2012-02-06Usage metrics
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