Praise
This book is essential reading for those who still don't acknowledge USA's deep protectionist heritage which has returned with such a force today.— Lars Magnusson, Emeritus Chair Professor of Economic History and author of Mercantilism: The Shaping of an Economic Language, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Mathew Frith offers a masterful recovery of the protectionist school of political economy that shaped nineteenth-century America, restoring its analytical power and revealing its enduring relevance to contemporary debates over trade and development. This book will stand as the authoritative reference on the subject for years to come.
— Carlos Eduardo Suprinyak, Professor of Economics, American University of Paris, France
Frith’s book fills a significant gap in the scholarly literature by offering what is to date the most comprehensive review of the theoretical underpinnings of America’s central contribution to the history of economic thought. An engaging and accessible read, America’s Neglected Protectionist Tradition reveals that protectionism is about much more than just tariffs.
— Christopher W. Calvo, author of The Emergence of Capitalism in Early America, Florida International University, USA
Mathew Frith has provided an interesting and lucid examination of the philosophy and economic theory of a group of early American economists, a group neglected by modern mainstream economics with its bias toward free trade. Frith correctly argues the protectionist policy promoted by the group was well suited to the historical conditions of the early American nation. There is much food for thought, both for those interested in early American economic history and its leading thinkers, and for those who see merit in fitting tariff and industrial policy to the current economic and social conditions of a country.
— Harry Bloch, John Curtin Distinguished Emeritus Professor and author of Schumpeter's Price Theory, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
A well written and clearly organized exploration of the neglected and timely topic of American protectionist thought from the founding era to the twentieth century.
— Lawrence Peskin, Professor of History and Geography and author of Manufacturing Revolution, Morgan State University, USA