Libre-échange et protectionnisme au XIXe siècle. Échanges d’arguments entre Émile DE LAVELEYE, Paul D’ESTOURNELLES DE CONSTANT et Henri HAUSER

During his talk, Professor Geoffrey GRANDJEAN considered the arguments developed by three intellectuals during the « lengthy » 19th century. Professor of Political Economy at the University of Liège, Émile DE LAVELEYE always defended free trade. Paul D’ESTOURNELLES DE CONSTANT, diplomat and French politician, and Henri HAUSER, Economic History Professor at the Sorbonne, by contrast, defended protectionism. The arguments developed by these intellectuals may be organised around four dividing lines: the division of labour, accumulation of capital, economic imbalances and understanding among peoples. Behind these dividing lines, a major cleavage concerning equality confronts the three intellectuals.