Antoine de Montchrestien
Antoine de Montchrétien or Montchrestien (* 1576 in Falaise (Normandy), † October 7, 1621 in Auxonne sur Loire) was a French economist of the time of mercantilism. He was the first person who has " political economy " published a book under the title. He has also written plays.
Life
Montchrétien was the son of a pharmacist. He spent some time in the Netherlands, where he met the local for that time very advanced political and economic system. In 1609 he returned to France in order to implement what they have learned. He opened a blacksmith shop and a tool factory.
His Traité d' économie politique was published in 1615. The treatise was to Louis XIII. directed and contained practical advice, ideas and suggestions to increase the wealth of France. Montchrétien praised the trade and sat down for an expansion of markets through support of a State. Joseph A. Schumpeter judged the book in its history of economic analysis as a mediocre and without originality; it contains useful recommendations, but also elementary mistake which indicated that it was closer than the theoretical level of his time. A more benevolent assessment learns the economist in T. wireless Brentano's introduction to the work output of 1889 as well as in P. Lavalleys L' oeuvre économique de Antoine de Montchrétien (1903 ).
Influenced by his stay in Holland, Montchrétien took off in 1610 for the Huguenot party, which eventually cost him his reputation - he was repeatedly accused of producing counterfeit money - and in 1621 finally his life. He was killed in a Huguenot revolt against the king of French troops.
Treatise on Economics
Montchrétien was a typical mercantilist and downright enthusiastic about the idea of increasing the wealth of the nation by means of a trade surplus generated abroad. The accumulation of gold or luxury goods inspired him and for him was a sign of a modern state and economic efficiency.
Economy and the private sector
After Montchrétien both the state and individuals or families then aim to amass wealth. The goal of the economy is to increase the wealth of the country as a whole. In this sense, economic is political. To ensure the enrichment of the nation, the prince must be an enlightened, interested for the interests of trade sovereign and no despot.
The policy should aim to strengthen the market economy and to allow individuals to pursue their personal interests. Nevertheless, the state must ensure that the order is maintained, regulate trade, support the development of factories, and provide transportation and communication routes. Especially the seafaring, in which he saw the cheapest mode of transport must be supported by the state. The authorities must support the total private sector, which means that individuals, and thus indirectly to enrich their nation.
The population policy of the state should seek to ensure that every person has a job and can enrich themselves in this way also. The state itself should set up workshops and offer them work in the public interest. He will also assume a function of social regulation, promote the labor market, but also the peace within the country. Under the latter Montchrétien understands, among other things an "optimal population ". The state should ensure that enough people are available, in order to optimally utilize the available resources and to have broke are no fields. A surplus population could lead to impoverishment, which is why it will be used to conquer new territories. On the other hand impoverished parts are to be made by professional teaching valuable resource of the nation. A selective immigration policy is to ensure that talented entrepreneurs and traders to settle.
Agriculture, industry and trade
For Montchrétien agriculture, industry and trade are intertwined. However, the agriculture, he said to play a key role. In agriculture begins wealth for him. Without industrial production, processed agricultural products and trade, which then sells these products profitably, but no wealth and therefore no social development towards greater division of labor would be possible, which in turn made possible the necessary for the economic development of technical progress.
Trade and Gold
Human action is conditioned by Montchrétin by the search for profit. Needs lead to a demand, which in turn determines the production. In gold and gold trading he saw the center and the ultimate goal of human - and economic - act. Therefore, were for him a stable money, sound public finances and a fair distribution of tax revenues indispensable for a modern economy.
Nationalism and colonialism
Montchrétien presented France as one of the all coveted, beautiful woman who prefer jealousy and possession will be on. In his opinion, France was threatened by his neighbors who have nothing else in mind than to plunder its riches. Therefore, the king must respond, make war against his neighbors, conquering colonies and expand his territory.