Liberty, labour and human rights: Institutional change and the intellectual debate on slavery in france from Condorcet to the mid-19th century

This chapter focuses on the substantial continuity in the debates on slavery and its abolition. The discussion started in the eighteenth century and, after a period of relative suspension, it was revived in the nineteenth century. These debates, important elements in the design of reforms promoting the capitalistic transformation of the economy and society, challenged the use of slave labour, because of its incompatibility with the process of civilization and limited utility for landowners, in view of the lower productivity of slaves compared to free workers. The paper highlights the dichotomous approach developed on this issue. From the point of view of the pro-abolition arguments, beyond the ethical-religious or racial explanations, the Enlightenment thinkers and the nineteenth century intellectuals provided convincing explanations on both the juridical (or legislative) and economic plane. However, differences arose as regards the timing and modes of the abolitionist project: some advocated the immediate and complete eradication of slavery, others theorized its gradual abolition. Some authors considered it fair and necessary to ensure compensation to the plantation-owners losing slaves, while others opposed this measure, since it would involve the recognition of an illegitimate property right (over the slave).