Anders Chydenius (1729–1803) was the leading classical liberal of Nordic history. A Finnish priest and member of parliament, he published a book called The National Gain in 1765, in which he proposes ideas of free trade and explores the relationship between economy and society. In the book Chydenius published his theories closely corresponding to Adam Smith's invisible hand eleven years before Smith published the Wealth of Nations. In practice, Chydenius was almost an anarcho-capitalist.
Anders Chydenius also put his theories into practice by going to the Swedish-Finnish government and proposing trade liberalization of towns along the Gulf of Bothnia, as well as turning Lapland to a nightwatchman state. He can be seen as a major influence on Nordic thinkers as well as real-life politics, strictly promoting globalization.
Chydenius was also very outspoken about universal rights and the abolition of privilege. He wanted to promote democracy; he called for oversight of the way state funds were spent; in modern language we would say he advocated openness and good governance. He is remembered in Finland as a man ahead of his time, expressing ideas that were radical in his day, but are now the backbone of Nordic ideology.
Another famous Finnish scientist, Pehr Pietari Kalm, was the teacher of Anders Chydenius.
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Last updated: 10-16-2005 08:37:14
