El paper de les dinasties valencianes en l’economia del segle XVIII: empresaris moderns o especuladors mercantils?

The purpose of this article is to analyze the main Valencian commercial dynasties during the 18th century, to find out if their activities were characteristic of modern entrepreneurs, unlike members of the bourgeoisie in previous centuries. A distinction is drawn between the sedate bourgeoisie and the business bourgeoisie and their senior representatives in dynasties that carried out their tasks. In addition, a comparison is made with the case of the Alcoy manufacturing industry, where a large proportion of nobles who prospered in business, giving an explanation of the formation of a manufacturing system in the late 18th century and early 19th century.