Article Title

The Economic Policies of Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Authors

Jeri Kurtzleben, University of Northern Iowa

Document Type

Article

Abstract

From 1643 to 1715 France, under the rule of the Sun King Louis XIV, enjoyed political dominance and revenues far above other European nations (Dunn 1979, p. 179). In 1661, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, a man of humble origins and little economic training, joined Louis' court as finance minister. A devoted servant nineteen years Louis' senior, Colbert shared the Sun King's desire for opulence, as well as his penchant for attention to detail (Murat 1984, p. 74). More than three hundred years have passed since Colbert initiated his economic and financial policies, yet his contributions live on. Colbert inaugurated policies regulating taxes, commerce, industry and trade. Throughout his tenure, he worked tirelessly for the advancement and self-sufficiency of France. Ironically, on occasion this actually worked to the detriment of France and roused public anger against Colbert.

Publication Date

1997

Journal Title

Draftings In

Volume

9

Issue

3

First Page

20

Last Page

26

Comments

This issue is also considered v.10 of the initial publication series of Major Themes in Economics.

No cover/title page date shown on piece.

Copyright

©1997 by the Board of Student Publications, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Kurtzleben, Jeri (1997) "The Economic Policies of Jean-Baptiste Colbert," Draftings In: Vol. 9: No. 3, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/draftings/vol9/iss3/4