Notes sur Jean-Baptiste Say. Conception de l'économie en général et position face à l'esclavage en particulier

This article proposes a critical analysis of Jean-Baptiste Say?s thought on the economy in general and more specifically, on slavery. The first part deals with his general ideas on the economy, and studies how he defines value, capital and equilibrium of supply and demand on the markets (Say?s law). The second part concentrates on a less known issue, that of the points of view he adopted on slavery (and on colonies), in order to examine their strengths as well as their limitations. Say?s liberal followers often remember the famous « Say?s law » and the glorification of capital but discard the anti-slavery theses, which nevertheless constitute an advocacy for the liberation of the forces of production to the benefit of a triumphant capitalism. JEL Codes : B12, F02, J41, J71, K33, N43, O52, P12