The Journal of Libertarian Studies

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Was Richard Cantillon an Austrian Economist?

The Journal of Libertarian Studies

Tags History of the Austrian School of EconomicsOther Schools of ThoughtPhilosophy and Methodology

07/30/2014Robert F. Hébert

Can anyone take seriously the question posed by the title of this paper? History clearly reveals the following facts. Austrian economics began in 1871 with the pioneer work of the Viennese economist, Carl Menger. Cantillon's Essai sur la nature du commerce en général was written almost 150 years earlier. It remained virtually undiscovered until reintroduced to economists by W. S. Jevons in 1881. There is definitely no chronological link between Cantillon and Menger, and any intellectual connection is speculative.

Nevertheless, there is a sense in which this question can be taken quite seriously.

Volume 7, Number 2 (1985)

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Contact Robert F. Hébert

Robert Hébert is Professor of Economics at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, and Russell Foundation Professor Emeritus at Auburn University.

Cite This Article

Hébert, Robert F. "Was Richard Cantillon an Austrian Economist?" Journal of Libertarian Studies 7, No. 2 (1985): 269–279.