Economy and government
Defoe sees a clear connection between the economy and the government. Instead of treating economy with a complete laissez faire, Defoe advocates benefit programs for business owners such as assurances, upkept roads, and pensions benefits for employees of companies. He even mentions the specific benefits that a sea-faring businessman might need. By creating a safer situation for businesses, he hopes to grow the economy.
People and the Public
Instead of seeing just the mechanisms of the government, Defoe leans toward the public. He shows that perhaps people could be given a more central role in the government's interests. This imagery extends all the way to the Friendly Societies projects which are government programs designed to foster healthy relationships among the public. This effort would eventually continue to include public health efforts and public service announcements and such.
Government assistance
The government is shown as an assisting force in Defoe's ideas. The Essay offers a portrait of a government who can help people who have to declare bankruptcy through benefits. This is also a forerunner to the unemployment assistance. The pensions office is also an idea that pertains to this imagery. In a word, Defoe sees that if a government can offer assistance to its people to help them get back on their feet, it would be beneficial to do so.
Education
Defoe says that education is not some side quest in the life of a nation. He describes it as a central part of how a nation improves through time. By educating the intelligent among them, a nation can help to spur progress, and the educated people have a good chance of attain some success economically which helps grow the economy. The access to education is therefore an essential way of improving a nation's economic health.
