‘Physiocracy, Guillotines, and Antisemitism?’ Did Economics Emulate the Wrong Enlightenment?

Abstract

Current Pinkerian views about the Enlightenment continue a tradition that made it possible to base economic theory on far-fetched assumptions and still appear reasonable to a majority. This was an approach that would make it possible to create theories tailor-made to fit the vested interests of specific economic groups: the interests of the feudal landlords during the Enlightenment, and of financial capital today. There are yet other streams of enlightenment, closer to Renaissance ideals. We contrast these different visions and their implications.