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[The following book abstract was submitted to the "Abstracts in economic  
history" rather than "Abstracts in the History of Economics" and therefore  
did not make it onto HES. Posted now for your information. -- RBE] 
 
 EHS Abstract Submission (c) 1999 EH.Net 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
Name:  Bertil Fridin 
Email:  [log in to unmask]  
Institution:  Chalmers University of Technology 
 
Co-author:  None 
 
Title:  Rousseau's Economic Philosophy. Beyond the Market of 
Innocents. 
 
Internet Address of abstracted work:  Not available on the Internet. 
 
By mail: 
Department of Building Design; Architectural Conservation 
Chalmers University of Technology 
SE-412 96 Goteborg 
SWEDEN 
 
Language:  English 
 
Abstract: 
 
By using a close reading of an unusually broad selection of texts, this 
study can, for the first time, present Rousseau's economic philosophy in a 
consistent way. In contrast to Jean Starobinski who found Rousseau's 
anti-market views an "imaginative flight" dictated by a peculiar 
psychological disposition, Rousseau's position is demonstrated to be 
well-informed and consistent. They reflect an awareness of some general 
problems of constituting a democratic social choice as well as of problems 
he associates with market exchange: for example information costs, 
inefficiencies due to bargaining strategies and collective good problems. 
Accepting neither itatism, nor mercantilism or physiocratic thought, he 
advocates, as a temporary solution, that the provision of necessities and 
riches should be based on subsistence economies. In the long run, however, 
he found such a policy unfeasible and made some preliminary suggestions 
about the necessary properties of a democratic and social economy for a 
rich quality of life, not merely for childish lapri. They concerned such 
things as for example, the role of women, music and theatre. 
 
Bibliography:  Fridin, Bertil. _Rousseau's Economic Philosophy. Beyond 
the Market of Innocents_.  Kluwer Academic Publishers, October 1998. 
 
Subject: HES: AEH:  L 
Geographical Area:  4 
Country/Region:  France, Switzerland 
Time Period:  6 
 
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