Was Quesnay's theory that only agriculture is productive widely accepted?
My emphasis on agriculture as the sole source of net wealth was a radical departure from mercantilist thought. While it provided a foundation for later economic analysis, the notion that industry and commerce were purely sterile was a point of contention. Critics argued, and rightfully so in hindsight, that the transformative power of labor and innovation in other sectors also contributes significantly to a nation's prosperity. The dynamism of modern economies demonstrates the limitations of this singular focus.
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