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Le concept quesnayen d'ordre naturel

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  • Marianne Fischman

Abstract

[fre] Cet article propose une lecture des écrits économiques et politiques de Quesnay à partir du concept d'ordre naturel défini dans "Évidence" (Quesnay 1756a). Il s'agit tout d'abord de montrer que ce concept permet à Quesnay de concevoir le désir pour les richesses comme une passion sociable. Il s'agit ensuite de mettre en évidence comment ce concept d'ordre naturel conduit Quesnay à construire son économie politique en réunissant la théorie du droit et l'économie, jusque-là réduite à une arithmétique politique. Cet article montre qu'en se référant à l'idée d'ordre naturel, Quesnay fait de l'accroissement des richesses agricoles la condition nécessaire et suffisante pour protéger toute forme de propriété. Il souligne que l'originalité de Quesnay consiste à fonder cette proposition sur la définition d'un lien économique - la théorie du produit net qui repose sur l'établissement du "bon prix"- entre richesse et propriété. Cet article éclaire par ce biais l'importance accordée par Quesnay à la propriété foncière et sa défense du despotisme légal. [eng] This article gives an interpretation of Quesnay's economic and political writings founded on the concept of natural order defined in "Évidence" (Quesnay 1756a). First, it shows that this concept leads Quesnay to conceive the desire of wealth as a sociable passion. Then, it brings out how the concept of natural order leads Quesnay to unite theory of law and economics, until then reduced to political arithmetic, and thus to construct its political economy. This article shows that thanks to the concept of natural order, Quesnay explains that the increase of agricultural wealth is the necessary and sufficient condition to protect any forms of property. It stresses the point that Quesnay's originality is to found this proposition on a definition of an economic link - the theory of net product relying on the "bon prix" - between wealth and property. This article enlightens, thus, the emphasis that Quesnay puts on real estate and its defence of legal despotism.

Suggested Citation

  • Marianne Fischman, 1998. "Le concept quesnayen d'ordre naturel," Cahiers d'Économie Politique, Programme National Persée, vol. 32(1), pages 67-97.
    • Handle: RePEc:prs:caecpo:cep_0154-8344_1998_num_32_1_1227
    DOI: 10.3406/cep.1998.1227
    Note: DOI:10.3406/cep.1998.1227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gianni Vaggi, 1985. "The Role of Profits in Physiocratic Economics," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 17(3), pages 367-384, Fall.
    2. Alain Béraud & Gilbert Faccarello, 2000. "Nouvelle histoire de la pensée économique, tome 3," Post-Print halshs-00201476, HAL.
    3. Philippe Steiner, 1987. "Le projet physiocratique : théorie de la propriété et lien social," Revue Économique, Programme National Persée, vol. 38(6), pages 1111-1128.
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