Economistes and the Reinvention of Empire

'For some time, historians have been searching for the links between the first and second French colonial Empires. Røge finds a compelling set of answers in the critique of plantation slavery and empire developed by the Physiocrats beginning in the mid eighteenth century.' Paul Cheney, University of Chicago

'This ambitious and original book illuminates the emergence of a new vision of empire in eighteenth-century France, explaining how physiocratic ideas informed colonial policy during and after the French Revolution. Røge’s rigorous analysis makes important contributions to the history of political economy as she traces the transition of empire from the Caribbean to Africa.' Michael Kwass, The Johns Hopkins University

'A complete reinterpretation of the dynamics of the French colonial empire. Delving into abundant first-hand material, Røge reveals the true importance of West Africa in rethinking French imperial expansion after the Seven Years' War. She brilliantly bridges the colonial orientations of the Ancien Regime and of the First Republic, revealing the enduring influence of the Physiocrats. A fascinating and successful historical enquiry.' François-Joseph Ruggiu, Sorbonne Université, France

'An elegant and subtle re-interpretation of the ideological origins of modern French imperialism: rather than a product of nineteenth-century republicanism, the book shows France’s new imperial project had its roots in Old Regime ideas and practices. The balance between change and continuity and the appreciation of interactions between the imperial centre and the colonial peripheries are remarkable.' David Todd, King’s College London

‘The physiocrats (or économistes), market-oriented economic reformers of France's late Ancien Régime, have recently drawn increasing attention from historians. In this insightful study, Røge argues that physiocratic writings on empire in the pre-Revolutionary period helped shape a republican vision of empire as mission civilisatrice, an idea that would reach its apogee under the Third Republic … Highly recommended.’ D. A. Harvey, Choice

‘… the findings presented in this book indeed shall lead us to re-evaluate the importance of physiocracy … a major contribution to scholarship on both colonial and Enlightenment history.’ Damien Tricoire, Connections

‘Røge’s work will assuredly change the way we think about the Physiocrats - no small merit. In the discriminating account it offers of the place of ideas in political context it will be a model for others to emulate.’ John Shovlin, Global Intellectual History

‘… this is a stimulating and original book.’ Richard Whatmore and Gabriel Sabbagh, History of European Ideas

‘… Pernille Roge’s book on the influence of physiocratic thought on slavery and French colonialism, Economistes and the Reinvention of Empire: France in the Americas and Africa, c. 1750–1802, is a welcome event … the originality of Røge’s work is that it covers a range of topics, including slavery, French navigation laws (the Exclusif), foreign policy, conflicts between planters and merchants, abstract political economy, and action on the ground … elegant and robustly argued.’ Liana Vardi, American Historical Review

‘Economistes and the Reinvention of Empire offers a welcome and surprisingly revelatory change of perspective by pulling the Physiocrats from the familiar context of the Flour Wars to consider their thinking on matters international and imperial.’ Rebecca L. Spang, The William and Mary Quarterly