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Laissez-Faire Thought in Massachusetts, 1790–1880

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2011

Oscar Handlin
Oscar Handlin
Affiliation:
Harvard University
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Extract

This paper will deal not with the development, but rather with the lack of development of laissez-faire thought in Massachusetts during most of the nineteenth century. A common misconception of American economic thought, as of American economy, ascribes a continuous laissez-faire bent to policy in the United States. This misconception will be found not only in the pretty publications of the National Association of Manufacturers where it might be expected, but also in the serious works of our most careful scholars into which it obtrudes almost automatically. Thus Mr. Nef recently referred to laissez faire as “part of our national heritage.” Yet, in general, and specifically as applied to Massachusetts, this is completely erroneous.

Type
Articles
Information
The Journal of Economic History , Volume 3 , Supplement S1 , 1943 , pp. 55 - 65
Copyright
Copyright © The Economic History Association 1943

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References

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