The Optimum Government of the Physiocrats: Legal Despotism or Legitimate Despotism?

Abstract This article argues for the existence of an original analysis of Lemercier de la Rivière’s concept of legal despotism unheralded by commentators. Quesnay, leader of the physiocrats, is usually acknowledged as the main source but the literature systematically refers to Lemercier de la Rivière’s writings. Lemercier de la Rivière’s main text, L’Ordre naturel et essentiel … Continue reading The Optimum Government of the Physiocrats: Legal Despotism or Legitimate Despotism?