Friedrich List’s legacy and his influence on the European economic integration

Abstract

The article details Friedrich List's understanding about the advantages and earnings resulting from the customs union, considering the case of Zollverein. Next, Friedrich List-Gesellschaft’s contributions in regard to the devising of feasible measures for restructuring the German economy after the Great Depression (1929) are put into evidence. Afterwards, Edgar Salin’s Anschauliche Theorie (Intuitive Theory) is examined in order to better undertstand his conception of general theory of economics. Finally, the role played by List-Gesellschaft (LG), in founding the theoretical basis of European economic integration is outlined. It is noteworthy that despite all the support provided by LG for the strengthening of the European Economic Community, List's main argument on free trade seems to have, to some extent, not been fully appreciated by the group.