Liberal Economists and the “Worker’ Question” in France during the 1840s From the Glorification of Liberty of Work to the Fight against the “Right to Labour”

This paper deals with the ideas of French liberal economists on the “labour question” during the years 1840. These economists are divided among themselves on the right of coalition for workers, but also on the limitation of hours for child. On the other hand, all they criticize the limitation of adults’ working hours, they fight Louis Blanc’s “ateliers sociaux” system and the “right to labour”, before, during and after the February Revolution of 1848. They plead for the formation of voluntary associations such as mutual aid associations, savings banks and even pension schemes. The more moderate among them do not reject the notion of "organization of labour" if it refers to institutions such as labour legislation and initiatives to promote technical education and the saving of workers.