Retardative Factors in French Economic Development in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

In: The journal of economic history, Band 6, Heft S1, S. 91-102

Abstract

All scientific research requires at its initial stage as precise a formulation of the problem under investigation as is possible to the human mind. In a study of retardative factors in French economic development in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the need for clarifying the implications of the subject and of removing possible ambiguities is particularly urgent. By economic development is meant here an increasing amount of goods and services which are customarily exchanged for money. I am eliminating from consideration many of the intangibles of life, which are important and which the French may have in abundance, likejoie de vivre.