论科尔贝及其重商主义实践

On Colbert and Colbertism

科尔贝是法国路易十四国王的股肱之臣,他长期掌控财政大权,并主导了司法、贸易、工业、建筑、海军、殖民等诸多部门。科尔贝不仅再造法国财税金融体系、统一司法体制、强化中央集权统治,而且借助国家干预和贸易保护等重商主义手段,大力扶持工商业发展和外贸竞争、打造海军力量与航运事业、兴建港口等水陆交通设施、支持海外殖民及探险活动,等等。虽然重商主义(也称"科尔贝主义")在主流政治经济学话语中一向名声不佳,但科尔贝所开创的重商主义发展模式无疑具有正面的历史作用。科尔贝的重商主义主张和实践实际上开辟了一条强力推进工业化和现代化的赶超发展道路,恰当地认识和吸收这份历史遗产对当今发展中国家仍具有积极的政策意义。

Jean - Baptiste Colbert, a man of vast power during the reign of Louis XIV, may have added little to the basic theoretical tenets of mercantilism, nonetheless achieved a reputation for his systematic implementation of those existing mercantilist beliefs. By means of intensive state intervention and strict trade protection, he improved the French manufacturing, brought the economy back from the brink of bankruptcy, promoted the overseas mercantile expansion, as well as strengthening the centralized state control. Colbert＇ s mercantilist practice （or Colbertism）, for good or bad, represents an effective strategy of latecomers for catching up with the more advanced industrializers, therefore offering thoughtful lessons to the developing countries in this globalizing world.