Colbertism

The colbertism is doctrines économico-policy of the 17th century, worked out by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, General inspector of finances of Louis XIV. The colbertism is an alternative of the Mercantilisme, and is more a whole of economic practices that true a current of economic thinking;

This Economic policy was put into practice between 1661 and 1683, date of died of Colbert, then was continued by its successors.

As a current of thought, it is replaced at the 18th century by the Physiocratisme, which is a reaction vis-a-vis the colbertism, then by the Libéralisme.

Main features

The colbertism is the French alternative of the economic theory of the Mercantilisme whose main features are:

the Hoarding of the richnesses (gold, money…) ;
the Protectionism of the interior market;
the granting of subsidies to export;
the installation of public orders.

Colbert tranforme logic mercantilist of accumulation of noble metals in an organization meticulous person of the State which will be a vector of power and size for the country and its monarch.

Supports brought to the French industry (whose famous Manufactures) by Colbert is only temporary, with the objective that the companies acquire a know-how and a size (which involves economies of scale) which will enable them to become competitive vis-a-vis the principal competitors of the time, English and Dutch.

Implementation

August 1st

Commercial fight with the other countries of Europe

August 1st

Colbertism in France after 1945

See also: economic History of France#Après 1945, economic History of France after 1945, Rebuilding after the Second world war

One speaks about “neo-colbertism” (or Dirigisme) to qualify the policies of Interventionnisme carried out by the French governments after 1945. If it is not a question any more of accumulating Or or of granting subsidies to the Exportation, the sought-after goal is to make emerge, starting from the mass of the small biz and disorganized economic fabric, of French large companies which will be able to rebuild the economic infrastructures and to carry out economies of scale. Indeed, with leaving the Second world war, the infrastructures to France are in ruin; industry needs to be reorganized and modernized.

The French governments with leaving the war, which mix gaullists and Communistes, nationalize Economic sectors whole (energy, rail-bound Transport, Banking environment,…), with the will to train “national champions” (EDF, the SNCF,…). The State lance of great projects: TGV, Nuclear industry, Airbus, etc

To face the Housing shortage, it launches the construction of Grands units, while limiting the authorizations of constructions.

With the installation of the Common Market, and the disappearance of the customs tariffs with the principal business partners, like the Germany and the Netherlands, the French companies are confronted with foreign competitors. The large companies are then favoured in order to gain export markets.

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