In this paper I consider some aspects of Archibald Alison's protectionism. Alison (1792-1867) was considered “the most unbending Conservative in Great Britain” during the first half of the 19th century.
Alison criticized Malthus's principles of population. Even in an old society such as Britain, population was far from pressing subsistence. But Sir Robert Peel's Bank Acts of 1819 and 1844 had decreased the demand for labour by a reduction of paper currency. The repeal of the Corn Laws increased the quantity of imported corn enormously, and resulted in the distressed state of British agricuture. The Free Trade System compelled Britain to follow in the path of the fall of the Roman Empire.
Alison adovocated a moderate degree of Protection to Native Industry, and a systematic emigration. He believed that Britain could develop its colonial empire by these measures. Alison's Protectionism consisted of agricultural protection and systematic emigration, and the latter led to protection on all goods, rude or manufactured.

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