On The Wealth Of Nations

The #1 New York Times–bestselling political humorist reads Adam Smith’s classic economic treatise—so you don’t have to. Recognized almost instantly on its publication in 1776 as the fundamental work of economics, The Wealth of Nations was also recognized as really long. The original edition totaled over nine hundred pages in two volumes—including the blockbuster sixty-seven-page “Digression concerning the Variations in the Value of Silver during the Course of the Four last Centuries,” which, to those uninterested in the historiography of currency supply, is like reading Modern Maturity in Urdu. Although daunting, Adam Smith’s tome is still essential to understanding such current hot topics as outsourcing, trade imbalances, and Angelina Jolie. In this witty, approachable, and insightful examination of Smith and his groundbreaking work, P. J. O’Rourke puts his trademark wit to good use, and shows us why Smith is still relevant, why what seems obvious now was once revolutionary, and why the pursuit of self-interest is so important. “If there is anyone on the planet who can make Adam Smith as entertaining and informative as he was prophetic, it’s P. J. O’Rourke.” —The Weekly Standard “Hilarious . . . Learning history while better understanding the current economy—and laughing while doing it? Hard to ask for more.” —Rocky Mountain News

Chronicling the story of what has come to be called the new growth theory, this text helps to explain dominant first-mover firms like IBM or Microsoft, underscores the value of intellectual property, and provides essential advice to those concerned with the expansion of the economy.

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‘Commerce and manufactures gradually introduced order and good government,’ wrote Adam Smith in his Wealth of Nations, ‘and with them, the liberty and security of individuals.’ However, Philipp Robinson Rössner shows how, when looked at in the face of history, it has usually been the other way around. This book follows the development of capitalism from the Middle Ages through the industrial revolution to the modern day, casting new light on the areas where premodern political economies of growth and development made a difference. It shows how order and governance provided the foundation for prosperity, growth and the wealth of nations. Written for scholars and students of economic history, this is a pioneering new study that debunks the neoliberal origin myth of how capitalism came into the world.

An easier-to read, moderately abridged, current language version of the 1776 classic. Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations is the great pioneering study of economic growth and performance. When first published in 1776, the factory-based Industrial Revolution was only just getting underway. However, there had been steadily rising production and incomes in Britain, the North American colonies, Holland and other countries since at least the late 17th century. Smith uses basic theory, observation and documentary sources to analyze the nature and causes of economic advancement in general. The book is lengthy and wide-ranging. It examines the contributions to production of labour, land and capital. It explains the economic importance of large buoyant markets and industrial specialization. It also shows that national wealth does not depend on economic factors alone. For example, the favourableness or otherwise of the political-legal environment for industry and commerce is everywhere a major influence on national prosperity. This is a moderately abridged current language version of the book – essentially translating the work into modern English to improve its readability and understandability. The translation is substantive but retains literalness and original word order and grammar as far as possible. CONTENTS: Editorial Foreword Author’s Introduction BOOK 1: INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND INCOMES Chapter 1: Industrial Specialization Chapter 2: The Origins Of Industrial Specialization Chapter 3: The Extent Of The Market Limits Specialization Chapter 4: The Origins And Use Of Money Chapter 5: The Real Economic And Nominal Monetary Prices Of Goods Chapter 6: Supply Prices, Production Costs And Incomes Chapter 7: The Natural And Market Prices Of Products Chapter 8: The Wages Of Labour Chapter 9: The Profits Of Capital Chapter 10: Wages And Profits In Different Trades Chapter 11: The Rent Of Land BOOK 2: CAPITAL – ITS NATURE, ACCUMULATION AND USES Chapter 1: Different Types Of Capital Chapter 2: Monetary Capital Chapter 3: The Accumulation Of Capital Chapter 4: Capital Lent At Interest Chapter 5: The Different Uses Of Capital BOOK 3: NATIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCES Chapter 1: The Natural Process Of Economic Growth Chapter 2: The Discouragement Of Agriculture In Europe After The Fall Of The Roman Empire Chapter 3: Urban Growth And Manufacturing After The Fall Of The Roman Empire Chapter 4: The Contribution Of Urban Industry And Commerce To Rural Economies BOOK 4: POLITICAL-ECONOMIC THEORIES AND POLICIES Chapter 1: The Mercantilist Political Economic Model Chapter 2: Restrictions On Importing Goods Capable Of Domestic Production Chapter 3: Restrictions On Imports To Correct So-called Disadvantageous Trade Balances Chapter 4: Tax Refunds On Exports Chapter 5: Export Subsidies Chapter 6: Treaties Of Commerce Chapter 7: Colonies Chapter 8: The Mercantilist System – Conclusions Chapter 9: The Agricultural Political Economic Model – The Notion Of Land As The Great Source Of National Wealth BOOK 5: GOVERNMENT FINANCES – PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, TAXATION AND BORROWING Chapter 1: Government Expenditure Chapter 2: The Sources Of General Public Revenues Chapter 3: Public Debts

Adam Smith was a philosopher before he ever wrote about economics, yet until now there has never been a philosophical commentary on the Wealth of Nations. Samuel Fleischacker suggests that Smith's vastly influential treatise on economics can be better understood if placed in the light of his epistemology, philosophy of science, and moral theory. He lays out the relevance of these aspects of Smith's thought to specific themes in the Wealth of Nations, arguing, among other things, that Smith regards social science as an extension of common sense rather than as a discipline to be approached mathematically, that he has moral as well as pragmatic reasons for approving of capitalism, and that he has an unusually strong belief in human equality that leads him to anticipate, if not quite endorse, the modern doctrine of distributive justice. Fleischacker also places Smith's views in relation to the work of his contemporaries, especially his teacher Francis Hutcheson and friend David Hume, and draws out consequences of Smith's thought for present-day political and philosophical debates. The Companion is divided into five general sections, which can be read independently of one another. It contains an index that points to commentary on specific passages in Wealth of Nations. Written in an approachable style befitting Smith's own clear yet finely honed rhetoric, it is intended for professional philosophers and political economists as well as those coming to Smith for the first time.

Adam Smith’s masterpiece, first published in 1776, is the foundation of modern economic thought and remains the single most important account of the rise of, and the principles behind, modern capitalism. Written in clear and incisive prose, The Wealth of Nations articulates the concepts indispensable to an understanding of contemporary society; and Robert Reich’s Introduction both clarifies Smith’s analyses and illuminates his overall relevance to the world in which we live. As Reich writes, “Smith’s mind ranged over issues as fresh and topical today as they were in the late eighteenth century—jobs, wages, politics, government, trade, education, business, and ethics.” Introduction by Robert Reich • Commentary by R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner • Includes a Modern Library Reading Group Guide