The Economic Legacy of José Joaquín de Mora Spreading Classical Political Economy in the Hispanic World

This book examines the dissemination, adaptation, and application of classical economic ideas within the Hispanic world through the life of José Joaquín de Mora. Focusing on the decades surrounding the creation of the Latin American republics, it highlights how ideas from the classical political economy, including liberalism and free trade, were pioneered in the work of Mora and disseminated across the Spanish speaking world. Particular attention is given to the influence of Mora in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia and how he helped shape their economic development models and political environments.

This book examines the essential role José Joaquín de Mora played in the ideological and political modernisation of Latin America. It will be of interest to students and researchers interested in the history of economic thought and the political economy.

1. Introduction. A distinctive proponent of classical political economy in the Spanish-speaking world.- 2. The Absolutism six-year Period (1814-1820). Encountering Smith and Say.- 3. The Liberal Triennium (1820-1823). Mora, Bentham and radical liberalism.- 4. London (1824-1827). The approach to British Classical political economy.- 5. Argentina (1827-1828). An early attempt to introduce economic liberalism in Hispanic America.- 6. Chile (1828-1832): 'El Mercurio Chileno' and the model of economic development for the Hispanic American republics.- 7. Peru and Bolivia. Teaching, journalism and diplomacy.- 8. Back to Spain (1843-1853). The debate on free trade in Spain under the sway of moderate liberalism.- 9. Mora and the Enciclopedia Moderna’s (1853-1855) entries on Political Economy and Public Finance.- 10. Mora and the articles for the journal 'La América': Dialoguing once again with Latin America from Spain.- 11. Epilogue. The art of dissemination.

Jesús Astigarraga is Professor of Economics at the University of Zaragoza.

Javier Usoz is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Zaragoza.

Juan Zabalza is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Alicante.