Campomanes, Pedro Rodríguez, conde de, 1723-1803

Spanish diplomat, statesman, jurist, economist, and writer.

Campomanes was an important figure of the Spanish Enlightenment and Charles III, who recognized his intellect, liberal ideas, and administrative skills, named him head of the Consejo Real y Supremo de Castilla in July 1762. Campomanes criticized Spain's failure to develop a strong agricultural economy and her one-sided focus on the mineral wealth of Peru and Mexico as the causes of her moral and economic decline. He instituted important agricultural reforms, and advocated a strong merchant marine and an open trade policy for Spain with all her colonies and with other countries.

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