Friedrich List (Economist)

Friedrich List was a 19th-century German economist who emphasized the importance of national economic development. He argued that countries should protect and nurture their industries through tariffs and government support until they can compete internationally. List believed in the idea of a "national system of political economy," where the economy serves the national interest. Unlike classical economists who promoted free trade, he recognized the role of government in fostering industrial growth and enhancing competitiveness. His ideas significantly influenced economic policy and were foundational in the development of economic nationalism.