ABSTRACT
The debate between protectionism and free trade during the 19th century in Nueva Granada goes beyond the ideological and economic conflicts between the liberal and conservative parties. This chapter explores the development of the debate, which shows the participants' ultimate goals, issues, and communication strategies. It also analyzes the rhetorical, legislative, and institutional commitment expressed in the Memoirs of the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury reports for the period (1846–1900). Politicians and intellectuals can be classified into three large groups, according to their leading principle: (a) the individualistic, based on the idea that each person is the best judge of their interests; (b) the socialist, based on the promising principle of solidarity; and (c) the so-called eclectic, advocating a functional application of the former two. All recognized that the controversies over free trade or protectionism were not limited to tariffs but were present in discussing other issues considered necessary for the country’s progress.
