The Turgot Collection

Box 7

Observations on the Paper by Graslin in
Favour of the Indirect Tax, to which the
Royal Agricultural Society of Limoges
has Given an Honorable Mention

Turgot defends the view, derived from the Physiocrats, that taxes must ultimately fall on the proprietors of agricultural land. In doing so, he anticipates important arguments by later arguments in defense of economic freedom. Against those who fear that free trade will lead to foreign countries’ gaining control of all raw materials and ruining French industry, Turgot is dismissive. He compares this fear to the fear that freedom to export grain will lead to starvation of the exporting country. He also defends free competition as essential to just wages. Competition among workers prevents workers from taking advantage of a small labor supply; likewise, competition among employers impedes them from taking advantage of workers.

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