... to advance upon the interests of the State. Let us not forget that the economy always came second to the demands and needs of Louis. For example, when Louis was in pursuit of Gloire during periods of war Colbert considered the success of his King well above that of the economy. Colbert was selective in where he would concentrate his attention; he left agriculture largely to its own devices, and never attempted to bring the whole of French commerce and industry under regulation. He accepted that it was neither desirable nor possible to control the whole of economic activity in France; he targeted only those commercial and industrial spheres, like the luxury market, which he adjudged directly relevant to state of power. Colbert created manufactures royales - state-sponsored companies that produced mainly luxury items. Colbert believed that to maximise industry the government had to intervene by set-up, takeover or special relationship ...

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