Edward Misselden

Edward Misselden (* 1608, † 1654) was an English businessman and author of economic writings, which are regarded as characteristic of the era of mercantilism.

Life

Misselden was a member of the East India Company and wrote in 1622 and 1623, the two fonts Free Trade and The Circke of Commerce. 1623 he left England as the East Indis Company nominated him as a negotiator in Amsterdam to contract negotiations. During these negotiations, he met Thomas Mun ( 1571-1641 ). Misselden 1623 was Deputy Governor of the Company of Merchant Adventurers in Delft and remained so until 1633rd

Misseldens theory of money and commodities

" The natural matter of trade is the merchandize (Kaufmann goods): which merchants from the end of trade have stiled commodities ( have called for business purposes use values ​​which dealer). The artificial matter of trade is money that has been awarded the title of sinewes of warre and of state ( nerve of war and the State). Money, although it comes in nature and time after the merchandize, yet for as much as it is now in use Has become the chiefe. It compares goods and money the two sons of the old Jacob, who laid his right hand on the younger and the left on the older.

At the opposite roles in the formation of a hoard: "The more the stock growing in goods, more so than does the existing treasure ( in treasure ) from. "

" The general remote cause of our lack of gold is the great excess of that kingdom in the consumption of goods of foreign countries, which we take as commodities test as discommidities by cutting us from as many sweethearts who else in the place of these toys ( toys ) would be imported. We consume among us too great an abundance of wines from Spain, France, Rhineland, Levante; the raisins from Spain, the currants from the Levant, the Lawns (variety of fine canvas) and cambrics ( Batiste ) of Hainaut, the silks of Italy, sugar and tobacco from the West Indies, the spices of the East Indies, everything that is not an absolute need for us and yet these things are bought with hard gold. "

Misselden wants to keep the gold and silver, at least in the circles of Christendom: "The money is reduced by the trade beyond Christendom with Turkey, Persia and the East Indies. These trading activities are largely conducted with cash, but quite different as the commercial branches of Christianity in itself, because although the trade within Christianity is driven with cash, but the money is continually included within its boundaries. There is in fact flow and counter flow, ebb and flow of money in the guided within Christianity trade, because sometimes it is more abundant on one part, lack in another, depending on a country lacks and another abundance: it comes and goes and swirls in a circle of Christianity, but remains always embraced by his line. But the money, which is also traded outside of Christendom in the above countries is spent constantly and never returns. "

Writings

• Free Trade or, The Meanes To Make Trade Florish. Wherein, The Causes of the Decay of Trade in this Kingdome, are Discovered: And the Remedies So to remoove the same, are Represented. Propertius, nauita de ventis, de tauris Narrat arator: Enumerat miles vulnera, pastor oues. London, Printed by John Legatt, for Simon Waterson, dwelling in Paules Church - yard at the Signe of the Crowne. 1622
• The circle of commerce. Or The ballance of trade in defense of free trade: Opposed to Malynes little fish and his great whale, and poized against them in the scale. Wherein, then, exchanges in generall are Considered: Therein and the wholesale trade of this kingdome with forraine countries, is digested into a ballance of trade, for the benefite of the publique. Necessary for the present and future times, London: . Printed by Iohn Dawson, for Nicholas Bourne, 1623