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I do believe, although I could be mistaken, that d'Argenson was at least affiliated with
the physiocrats, if not a hard core member. They were certainly in general supporters of
such ideas and I believe played an important role in spreading this phrase beyond its
initial originators, whoever they were.
 
It does seem that "laisser faire" dates to at least the late 19th century in France, but
is anybody able to pin it down further than that?
 
Barkley Rosser 
 
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