Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau
Economic efficiency is defined in the 18th century, by Quesnay as well as by Smith, as the maximization of the surplus generated by an economy. For Quesnay, the surplus is consumed for pleasure, while for Smith it is mainly accumulated in order to increase the productive power of labor. Rousseau is...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Institut du Monde Anglophone
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| Series: | Etudes Epistémè |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.openedition.org/episteme/17431 |
| _version_ | 1797223298008875008 |
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| author | Claire Pignol |
| author_facet | Claire Pignol |
| author_sort | Claire Pignol |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Economic efficiency is defined in the 18th century, by Quesnay as well as by Smith, as the maximization of the surplus generated by an economy. For Quesnay, the surplus is consumed for pleasure, while for Smith it is mainly accumulated in order to increase the productive power of labor. Rousseau is constantly hostile to efficiency, wants to proscribe any invention that might shorten labor, and urges the production of only perishable goods. Rousseau, although he praises the superfluous, also points out the threats that its uses and its consequences bring to the agents’ expectations, when it turns into a necessity whose deprivation is painful. Where Smith encouraged a far-sighted agent to save for his future happiness, Rousseau invites a foresight that accepts the transience of pleasures and is able not to depend on the permanence of present wealth. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:35:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f839cba16f5a4aa09bfd70fa36ccd0d0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1634-0450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:35:00Z |
| publisher | Institut du Monde Anglophone |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Etudes Epistémè |
| spelling | doaj.art-f839cba16f5a4aa09bfd70fa36ccd0d02024-04-04T09:25:53ZengInstitut du Monde AnglophoneEtudes Epistémè1634-04504410.4000/episteme.17431Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, RousseauClaire PignolEconomic efficiency is defined in the 18th century, by Quesnay as well as by Smith, as the maximization of the surplus generated by an economy. For Quesnay, the surplus is consumed for pleasure, while for Smith it is mainly accumulated in order to increase the productive power of labor. Rousseau is constantly hostile to efficiency, wants to proscribe any invention that might shorten labor, and urges the production of only perishable goods. Rousseau, although he praises the superfluous, also points out the threats that its uses and its consequences bring to the agents’ expectations, when it turns into a necessity whose deprivation is painful. Where Smith encouraged a far-sighted agent to save for his future happiness, Rousseau invites a foresight that accepts the transience of pleasures and is able not to depend on the permanence of present wealth.https://journals.openedition.org/episteme/17431economic efficiencyshortagesurpluslabor productivityneeds |
| spellingShingle | Claire Pignol Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau Etudes Epistémè economic efficiency shortage surplus labor productivity needs |
| title | Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau |
| title_full | Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau |
| title_fullStr | Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau |
| title_full_unstemmed | Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau |
| title_short | Éloge et critique de l’efficience économique : Quesnay, Smith, Rousseau |
| title_sort | eloge et critique de l efficience economique quesnay smith rousseau |
| topic | economic efficiency shortage surplus labor productivity needs |
| url | https://journals.openedition.org/episteme/17431 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT clairepignol elogeetcritiquedelefficienceeconomiquequesnaysmithrousseau |