Manchester School Political Economy

About this Collection

The name “Manchester School” is given to the group of economists, businessmen, and lobbyists who campaigned in England in the mid-19th century for free trade, reduced government regulation of the economy (in other words for a policy of laissez-faire), and an non-interventionist foreign policy (the so-called “Little Englanders”). They got their name from the fact that some of their leading members, such as Ricahrd Cobden, were manufacturers based in the English industrial city of Manchester.

Key People

Notes About This Collection

For more information see:

For additional information about the Manchester School see in the Forum: Timeline on the Manchester School.