Commerce Defended

James Mill (1773-1836) was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher. He was the father of influential philosopher of classical liberalism, John Stuart Mill.


In this book, Mill defends international trade (which he refers to as “commerce”). He attacks anti-trade doctrines in general and in particular the ideas of two of their exponents, entomologist William Spence and publisher William Cobbett. Mill also criticizes French economists of the so-called “Physiocratic” school, who claimed that land is the only source of wealth. But, Mill believed, it is equally a mistake to think that wealth comes only from trade and manufacturing. Wealth comes from all production.