Claude-Henri
Saint-Simon,
the son of a minor noble, was born in Paris, France,
in 1760. Privately educated he served in the French Army during the
American War of Independence. Afterwards he travelled to Mexico and
Spain where he became involved in several canal projects.
A supporter
of the French Revolution, he immediately renounced his title. He was
imprisoned during the Terror but was released after spending nine-months
in captivity.
His first
book on political theory, Letters of a Genevan
to His Contemporaries, was published in 1802. This was
followed by Introduction to the Work of Science
in the 19th Century (1807), Memoir
on the Science of Man (1813), On
the Reorganisation of European Society
(1814), and The New Christianity
(1825).
In his
books Saint-Simon argued that Europe was in "critical disequilibrium"
and would soon undergo reconstruction. He argued strongly for a planned
economy. He suggested a framework of three chambers: one body made
up of engineers and artists to propose plans, a second of scientists
responsible for assessing the plans, and a third group of industrialists
whose task would be that of implementing the schemes according to
the interests of the whole community.
After his
death in 1825, Saint-Simon's ideas were developed by a group of loyal
followers such as Olindes Rodriguez, Armand Bazard and Barthelemy-Prosper
Enfantin. In 1830 the group published An
Explanation of the Doctrine of Saint-Simon. The interpreted
Saint-Simon as being a socialist and argued for the redistribution
of wealth for the benefit of society. Saint-Simon's theories also
influenced figures such as Alexander Herzen,
Thomas Carlyle and J.
S. Mill.
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