‎(MIRABEAU, V. RIQUETTI DE.)‎
‎Théorie de l'impôt. (Paris), 1760. - (Bound with:) (PESSELIER, C.E.) Doutes proposés à l'auteur de la Théorie de l'impôt.‎

‎(Paris), 1761. Two works bound in one volume. viii, 336 pp.; viii, 148 pp. 4to. Contemporary polished calf, spine gilt with raised bands, red label with gilt lettering, gilt triple fillet on sides, all edges gilt, a bit rubbed, small damage to head of spine. First work: Kress 5883; Goldsmiths 9602; INED 3209; Higgs 2297; McCulloch 346, Carpenter, Economic Bestsellers, XXI, (2); Einaudi 3946. First edition, the very rare 4to edition. 'Ce fut la première oeuvre vraiment personelle de Mirabeau depuis sa conversion (to Physiocratic doctrines). Le succès en fut très vif. Mirabeau développe les principes de la nouvelle école, avec un franc-parler qui lui attira de nombreux suffrages ..... et le fit emprissoner. Il s'élève nottamment contre les fermiers-généraux, fait une critique sévère du régime fiscal alors en vigueur, et énonce trois conditions nécaissaires à une judicieuse imposition' (INED). The collaboration between Mirabeau and Quesnay seems evident as the Archives Nationales have the manuscript of the text to which lengthy notes by Quesnay have been added. It is one of the principal works of the Physiocratic school and established it in the public eye, which was also due to the ensuing emprisonment of Mirabeau following his very frank manner of expression used in the book. 'Always in strict collaboration with the master, Mirabeau wrote a treatise on one of the major economic problems of the time: the reform of the fiscal system. The Théorie de l'Impot appeared in 1760 and presented one of the Physiocrats' most famous proposals: the single tax on rent' (New Palgrave, iii, p. 870).This is a spirited and able attack on the financial administration of France and especially the Fermiers-généraux, whom Mirabeau regarded as parasites preying upon the vitals of the nation. The work proposes a reorganisation of financial administrative machinery, the abolition of the 'Fermes', a reduction in the taxation upon salt, with the object of increasing the total yield, and a special tax upon tobacco farms. The domaine, the post and the mint were to be further sources of revenue. The author ranks as one of the earliest important writers on taxation. Higgs notes that the book is 'of real importance in the history of financial theory' (Higgs, The Physiocrats, p. 57).Second work: Kress 5963; Goldsmiths 9695; Einaudi 4409; Higgs 3524; INED 3524; Weulersse, i, p. xxvii, all citing the 12mo edition only; Mattioli 2790 (the 4to edition).First edition, the very rare 4to edition.Pesselier was one of the most forceful critics of the physiocrats and here attacks Mirabeau and his Théorie de l'Impôt of the previous year. The work is notable, however, for its affirmation of the characteristically physiocratic doctrine that agriculture holds a priviliged place in the economic system. ‎

Reference : 26435

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