An Inquiry Into The Nature And Causes Of The Wealth Of Nations Vol 1 Of 2 Classic Reprint

First published in 1776, Adam Smith's landmark work remains one of the most influential books in the history of economics. This edition includes an introduction by Thorold Rogers that provides historical context and sheds light on Smith's central arguments. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of economic thought. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Richly illustrated 1996 collection on how Pacific plants and peoples were depicted by European explorers.

The materials collected in this volume all concern the translations of and receptions to Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations in ten non-English-speaking countries. The Wealth of Nations provides the perfect basis for studying the international transmission of economic ideas as it is generally considered to be the foundation of modern political economy, and still continues to be read after more than two centuries. Its appeal crosses national, cultural, and ideological boundaries -- countries investigated here range from China to Sweden -- and its enduring popularity is indicated by its status as the most translated economics book in history. Adam Smith Across Nations includes numerous sections which will of invaluable assistance to any Smith researcher. As well as presenting reviews and analysis from each country from the 18th century to the present day, an appendix lists editions of The Wealth of Nations in 18 languages, enabling the reader to understand the speed and number of translations. Most importantly, an introductory overview synthesises current research on the economic ideological context in the individual countries when The Wealth of Nations was introduced, the motives behind its introduction, its immediate reception, and the nature of the objections to Smith's doctrines. Professor Lai concludes that Smith's impact outside English-speaking country was predominantly limited to the realm of ideas: few of his policy recommendations were put into practice.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ... An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations Adam Smith iii PREFACE TO THIS EDITION. "The book," says a masterly writer*, " which has changed the face of a science, even when not superseded in its doctrines, is seldom suitable to didactic purposes. It is adapted to the state of mind, not of those who are ignorant of every doctrine, but of those who are instructed in an erroneous doctrine. So far as it is taken up directly in combating the errors which prevailed before it was written, the more completely it has done its work, the more certain it is of becoming superfluous, not to say unintelligible, without a commentary." These remarks are not less applicable to Adam Smith's Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, than to Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding. In political economy, the former work is the book which has changed the face of a science; and no small portion of it is taken up * London Review, art. State of Philosophy in England.--A. r. in directly combating the errors which prevailed before it was written. At this time, an argument, however powerful and complete, against the Mercantile and Agricultural Systems of the last century, would be wholly superfluous; and for this reason: that those Theories have been demolished by Adam Smith's Inquiry. So completely has that book done its work, that the controversy in which the author engaged, has lost all interest, and is nearly forgotten. Who now cares to be told, that money is not wealth; that land is not the only source of wealth; or that the cause and measure of national wealth is not the excess of exports over imports? When doctrines become obsolete, the controversial matter of the book which has refuted them

It is central thesis of Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" is that our individual need to fulfill self-interest results in societal benefit, in what is known as his "invisible hand". Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations in 1776 to criticize mercantilism, which was the primary economic system at the time. Under mercantilism, it was believed that wealth was finite. Prosperity could be increased by keeping gold and precious metals and tariffing goods from other countries. Smith laid the foundations of classical free market economic theory. The Wealth of Nations was a precursor to the modern academic discipline of economics. In this and other works, he expounded upon how rational self-interest and competition can lead to economic prosperity.