An Outline of 'American Protectionist Thought: The Economic Philosophy and Theory of the 19 th Century American Protectionists'

Abstract

The American Protectionist School, which originates with the ideas of Alexander Hamilton and his contemporaries, represents an underappreciated and often poorly understood school of economic thought. The following piece provides an outline of the author's dissertation entitled "American Protectionist Thought: The Economic Philosophy and Theory of the 19 th Century American Protectionists." The main contribution of the dissertation is the rediscovery and reconstruction of the system of economic philosophy and theory developed by the 19 th century American Protectionists. In reconstructing this system, the dissertation demonstrates that the American Protectionists represent an original, coherent, and systematic school of economic thought, and one which held its own against other 19 th century schools. Central to the doctrine of the American Protectionists is the view of the economy as inventive and dynamic. In expositing this position, the American Protectionists emphasized Man's ingenuity, the role of invention, and the diversity of talents and aptitudes which exist among individuals. The following outline will touch upon these insights, as well as other insights documented in the dissertation.

Keywords: Alexander Hamilton, Friedrich List, Henry Charles Carey, Protectionism, Economic Development, Tariffs, Henry Clay, American System, John Rae, American economic thought, Mathew Carey, Invention, Innovation, International Trade, American School, Capitalism