Les Corn Laws en débat: régulation économique et sociale et libéralisme en Grande-Bretagne au cours du XIXe siècle

The debate that took place in England in the second half of the 19th century regarding the corn laws reasserts an ancient and strong theme :that of the nation’s food provisions. The 19th century introduced a national debate, among economists, then in parliament, in the industrial circles and in the heart of public opinion, on the respective advantages and disadvantages of free trade and protection of the farmers. This debate equally illustrates two conceptions of the market: the first attributed to the ricardians is a market reducing economic and social imbalances (mechanical model) and the second illustrated by Malthus is that of a market producing economic, political and social imbalances (biological model). The subject of this debate at last marks a decisive step in the abandonment of the thesis of the State’s nurturing function.