Work and Politics: Locke and the Economic Discourse

Vol. 22 No. 1 (2002)

Jan-Mar / 2002
Published January 1, 2002
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))

How to Cite

Cerqueira, Hugo E. A. da Gama. 2002. “Work and Politics: Locke and the Economic Discourse”. Brazilian Journal of Political Economy 22 (1):156-75. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-31572002-1241.

Work and Politics: Locke and the Economic Discourse

Hugo E. A. da Gama Cerqueira
Centro de Desenvolvimento e Planejamento Regional da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (CEDEPLAR/UFMG).
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 22 No. 1 (2002), Jan-Mar / 2002, Pages 156-175

Abstract

This paper examines the emergence of an economic discourse separated from ethics or political philosophy. It argues that the works of Locke are a decisive moment in this process, for disclosing the existence of a sphere of the economy distinct from the sphere of the politics. Furthermore, the article suggests, contrarily to other conventional interpretations, that Locke doesn’t consummate the emancipation of the economic discourse, since he approaches the economic sphere on the basis of moral principles. 

JEL Classification: B11; B31; B40.


Keywords: Jonh Locke (1632-1704) labor economic discourse