Travel, Travel Writing, and British Political Economy: "Instructions for Travellers," circa 1750-1850

The book explores how European travelers and political economists adapted the work of British political economists to organize their observations and how political economists used travelers' observations in their own analyses, highlighting debates about the status of facts and evidence, the universal application of principles, and the determination of wealth, value, and happiness in different societies. It also examines how travelers citing T.R. Malthuss' population principle blurred the gendered boundaries between domestic economy and British political economy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 367 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into a captivating exploration of how European travelers, particularly Alexander von Humboldt and his readers during the period spanning approximately 1750 to 1850, adapted the works of British political economists like Adam Smith to organize their observations. In turn, political economists utilized the travelers' observations in their own analyses.

Cooper's meticulous examination encompasses a wide range of sources, including journals, letters, books, art, and critical reviews. Through these diverse materials, he skillfully highlights the profound questions that contemporaries raised about political economy. These questions pertained to the status of facts and evidence, the universal applicability of its principles, and the determination of wealth, value, and happiness across different societies.

One particularly intriguing aspect of the book is its analysis of how travelers, influenced by the population principle articulated by T.R. Malthuss, blurred the gendered boundaries between domestic economy and British political economy. This blurring was evident in the idealized subjects of domestic woman and economic man, which became intertwined in the travelers' observations and interpretations.

The book also unveils new dimensions in the histories of science through its insightful examinations of debates about gender in social scientific observation. Maria Edgeworth, Maria Graham, and Harriet Martineau, among others, are analyzed for their roles in observing and methodically interpreting social phenomena, a domain traditionally associated with men. Cooper's analysis sheds light on the ways in which these women challenged traditional gender norms and contributed to the development of social science.

In conclusion, "The Traveler's Economy" is a groundbreaking work that offers a rich and multifaceted perspective on the intersection of economics, literature, and science during the early 19th century. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Cooper sheds light on the ways in which European travelers and political economists adapted and utilized each other's observations to shape our understanding of economic and social phenomena. This book is a valuable contribution to the fields of history, literature, and science and will be of interest to scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032125770