Claude Henri de Rouvroy, Comte de Saint-Simon

Claude Henri de Rouvroy, Comte de Saint-Simon (1760-1825), was a French social theorist and one of the founders of socialism. He envisioned a society organized around industry and scientific progress, where a "new elite" of scientists and industrialists would lead governance to improve social welfare. Saint-Simon advocated for social reform, including the importance of labor and the equitable distribution of wealth. His ideas influenced later socialist thinkers and movements, emphasizing cooperation and the role of technology in advancing society. His vision laid the groundwork for modern social theory and concepts of collective responsibility.