François Quesnay

François Quesnay was an 18th-century French economist and philosopher, best known for founding the foundation of classical economics called "physiocracy." He believed that the true wealth of a nation comes from land and agriculture, emphasizing that productive land generates the economic surplus necessary for growth. Quesnay introduced the idea of the "tableau économique," a model showing how wealth circulates through different classes—farmers, artisans, and landowners. His work laid the groundwork for later economic thought by highlighting the importance of productive activity and resource management in a prosperous economy.