The Wealth of Nations, Books 1-3‘It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest’ With this landmark treatise on political economy, Adam Smith paved the way for modern capitalism, arguing that a truly free market – fired by competition yet guided as if by an ‘invisible hand’ to ensure justice and equality – was the engine of a fair and productive society. Books I–III of the Wealth of Nationsexamine the ‘division of labour’ as the key to economic growth, by ensuring the interdependence of individuals within society. They also cover the origins of money, the importance of wages, profit, rent and stocks. Smith’s work laid the foundations of economic theory in general and ‘classical’ economics in particular, but the real sophistication of his analysis derives from the fact that it also encompasses a combination of ethics, philosophy and history to create a vast panorama of society. This edition contains an analytical introduction offering an in-depth discussion of Smith as an economist and social scientist, as well as a preface, further reading and explanatory notes. The Wealth of Nations Books IV-V are also published in Penguin Classics. |
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Adam Smith afford agriculture ancient annual produce bank butcher's meat cattle cent century circulating capital coin commerce commodities commonly consumed consumption continually corn David Hume division of labour Dugald Stewart economic effect employed employment England Europe exchange exchangeable value expense farmer fertile Francis Hutcheson frequently gold and silver greater quantity increase industry interest land and labour landlord less London maintain manner manufactures master ment merchant metals mines money price natural price necessarily necessary occasion ordinary ounce paid paper money particular perhaps Peru Physiocrats pound weight pounds present price of corn price of labour productive labour profits of stock proportion proprietors purchase quantity of labour quantity of silver raise real price regulated rent revenue rise rude produce Scotland seems seldom shillings society sometimes sort subsistence sufficient supply tillage tion town trade value of silver wages of labour Wealth of Nations wheat whole workmen