Public Discourse in Nineteenth-century Dutch Economics

Abstract

This study addresses the role of literary and economic periodicals in the public debate and the development of economic thought in the Netherlands from 1800 to circa 1900. Literary and economic journals established an effective channel of communication to a broad section of society and were widely used for publications by economists. We argue that what characterized the periodical literature in the Netherlands was its focus on economic practice. Publications in these journals hardly contributed to the development of economic theory. Economists preferred to publish in literary reviews like De Gids (The Guide), which for decades formed the most important economic journal in the Netherlands. Specialized economic journals appeared relatively early on the scene, but competed with literary reviews. In general, all journals, literary and economic, were used to advocate liberal economic doctrines, which formed the main school in nineteenth-century Dutch economic thought. The debate between socialists and liberals in the 1870s gradually changed the main doctrine of Dutch economists, which also affected the rank order of the journals used for economic publications. This study examines the impact of economic publications on public debate and economic thought in the Netherlands and compares the Dutch experience with publication cultures in other countries during the same period.