On June 21st (5 pm CEST), Prof. Arnault Skornicki (Université Paris Nanterre/ISP) will talk about the Physiocratic approach to poverty, and more specifically the rhetorical strategy they used to legitimize their liberal views.
In 18th Century France, bienfaisance (“beneficence”) was a new word for charity: a passion for virtue and a love of humanity, whereas charity emphasized love of god. Even though the Physiocrats had broken with paternalism and criticized the traditional assistance, they were fully aware that mere liberalization may not completely eliminate poverty. Unexpectedly, when Adam Smith seemed to consider here benevolence here as the contrary of self-interest, the Physiocrats tried to reconcile “bienfaisance” and self-interest through a social program compatible with a free market and private property.
To join the webinar, click on ‘attend event’ at the link below. You will receive the zoom link via email.
https://ysi.ineteconomics.org/project/5f7cf15ea21037043d1604ea/event/60c75c1f6e51494d5dafd4ba
Mario Cedrini