Carl August Struensee: Reformer or traditionalist?

Abstract

German works on economic history and theory in the latter half of the eighteenth century make frequent reference to G. A. Struensee as ‘a turncoat’ who sometimes acted as a committed spokesman for mercantilist ideas and sometimes appeared as a precursor of nineteenth-century economic liberalism. In particular his activities in Denmark are usually assumed to have been in accord with a liberal line of thought, whereas after the shock of the unhappy events of 1772 when he was obliged to return to Germany he is generally believed to have adopted a more traditional attitude.¹ In order to consider the justice of this belief, the economic thought expressed in his writings, and the Danish and Prussian legislation on which he may be assumed to have exercised some influence will be examined. Before doing so, however, a few biographical details may help to set his ideas more firmly in the context of his times.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hans Chr. Johansen

Hans Chr. Johansen, born 1935, is a lecturer in economic history at the University of Aarhus. He has written books and articles on various aspects of Danish economic development in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.