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Defending free trade after physiocracy: On Dugald Stewart's architectonic of passions, reason and Providence

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  • Thomas Ruellou

Abstract

Dugald Stewart (1753–1828) defended free trade in light of a providential account of Nature, according to which there would be an “identity of interests” (Halévy 1901–1904). He thereby tried to rid economic thought of references to conflicts and thus pursued the physiocrats’ programme rather than Adam Smith's. In fact, Stewart claimed that (i) self-love depends on an accommodation to Providence, by which individuals restrain their passions; (ii) self-love fosters actions that lead to a direct increase of public happiness; (iii) the perfectibility of mind allows to dismiss “legal despotism”, which can be replaced by religious education.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Ruellou, 2017. "Defending free trade after physiocracy: On Dugald Stewart's architectonic of passions, reason and Providence," The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(4), pages 742-783, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eujhet:v:24:y:2017:i:4:p:742-783
    DOI: 10.1080/09672567.2017.1334077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stewart, Dugald, 1793. "Account of the Life and Writings of Adam Smith," Histoy of Economic Thought Chapters, in: Collected Works of Dugald Stewart, volume 10, pages 1-98, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought.
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/5277 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Winch,Donald, 1996. "Riches and Poverty," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521559201, October.
    4. William O. Coleman, 1995. "Rationalism and Anti-Rationalism in the Origins of Economics," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 98.
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