Work and Politics: Locke and the Economic Discourse

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.