Questions of Trade and Humanity: An inquiry into free trade thought in Britain, 1815-1850

Abstract

This thesis is a history of ideas about free trade and associated topics in early nineteenth century Britain. It utilises a range of rarely used sources and little-studied individuals to reveal new contours of political and economic discourse of the time. With some of the more familiar faces of nineteenth century political economy and politics as a secondary cast, the thesis considers the ideas and contributions of four lesser-known figures who were variously involved in politics, business, and public service: William Jacob, Charles Poulett Thomson, James Deacon Hume, and Charles Pelham Villiers. These figures each advocated for free trade for reasons that a modern audience may find surprising; far from the cold-eyed rationalism that free trade is commonly associated with today, its historical advocates were motivated by diverse factors including religion, liberty, pragmatism, and justice. The thesis takes a contextual approach to analysing and understanding historical ideas about trade, looking away from anachronistic and teleological tendencies in existing literature and considering free trade alongside those topics it was closely related to in early nineteenth century discourse, including agriculture, population growth, food supply, political reform, and liberty in commerce and all parts of life. It is a contribution to a greater understanding of the history of free trade, reached through analysis of the language used to discuss and debate it and the rhetorical battles in which it featured. By focusing on four figures directly involved in making, shaping, and enforcing trade legislation, the thesis presents a picture of the ideas that were most closely shaping the development of trade policy and enabling the eventual rise of free trade.