Olbie: from a morally orientated society to the benefits of political economy[Olbie : d’une société guidée par la morale aux bienfaits de l’économie politique]

In writing his memoir, Olbie, the young J.-B. Say, still largely unknown as an economist, puts forth the benefits a society could reap from an understanding of political economy. Political economy furthers the reform of moral standards by permitting individuals to accede to an honest ease, which in turn leads to virtuous behaviour and encourages citizens to devote themselves to useful endeavours. Political economy contributes to establishing a moral standard of which legislation is the guarantee.