Charles Gide French economist Date of Birth: 29.06.1867 Country: France

1. Biography of Charles Gide
2. Early Life and Education
3. Teaching and Research
4. Principles of Political Economy
5. Cooperative Movement and Publishing
6. Death and Legacy

Biography of Charles Gide

Charles Gide, a French economist, was one of the leading economists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a historical leader of the French cooperative movement and the founder of the École de Nîmes. Gide was also a theorist of social economics, a supporter of Christian socialism, and a member of the League of Human Rights (Ligue des droits de l'homme). He was the nephew of the writer André Gide and was known to have taken the side of the falsely accused Captain Alfred Dreyfus during the famous Dreyfus Affair.

Early Life and Education

Charles Gide was born on June 29, 1847, in Uzès, a small ancient town in the Gard department in southern France. He was born into a Protestant family. In 1872, Gide defended his doctoral dissertation on the topic of "Le droit d'association en matière religieuse" at the Faculty of Law of the University of Paris.

Teaching and Research

After completing his education, Gide taught social economics at the University of Bordeaux and political economics at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montpellier. From 1923 to 1928, he held professorships at the University of Paris and the Collège de France. Throughout his career, Gide published articles on economic topics, critically examining the theoretical innovations of William Jevons and Léon Walras. His views and arguments often led to confrontations with liberal French economists.

Principles of Political Economy

Gide authored the textbook "Principes d'économie politique," which introduced generations of French students to political economy. From 1884 to 1931, the "Principles" became a bestseller and underwent 26 editions in France. It was also translated into 19 foreign languages, including Braille. Although the textbook has not been reprinted in France since Gide's death, it continued to be reissued abroad. In 1968, it was reprinted in Persian, and in 1970, it was published in the United States.

Cooperative Movement and Publishing

In 1885, Gide co-founded the École de Nîmes, a cooperative movement in southern France, along with Auguste Fabre, a mechanic whom Gide had known since their time in Uzès. In 1887, Gide established the publication "Revue d'économie politique."

Death and Legacy

Charles Gide passed away in Paris in 1932. His contributions to economics, social theory, and cooperative movements continue to be studied and appreciated.