Wealth of Nations

"Wealth of Nations" bliver med god grund anset for at være en af de største bogklassikere i den økonomiske verden. "Wealth of Nations" var den allerførste bog om moderne politisk økonomi og er stadig en grundpille inde for studiet af samme disciplin. Men Adam Smiths mesterværk er også meget mere end det. Sammen med vigtige diskussion af økonomi og politisk teori, fremstillede Smith sin klare, sunde fornuft med elementer fra historie, filosofi, psykologi, sociologi og meget andet. Som få andre værker har formået, viser værket os at Oplysningstiden var langt mere end blot en tidsperiode - det var en levet oplevelse, hvor målet var at forbedre menneskelige vilkår.

"Wealth of Nations" bliver med god grund anset for at være en af de største bogklassikere i den økonomiske verden. "Wealth of Nations" var den allerførste bog om moderne politisk økonomi og er stadig en grundpille inde for studiet af samme disciplin. Men Adam Smiths mesterværk er også meget mere end det. Sammen med vigtige diskussion af økonomi og politisk teori, fremstillede Smith sin klare, sunde fornuft med elementer fra historie, filosofi, psykologi, sociologi og meget andet. Som få andre værker har formået, viser værket os at Oplysningstiden var langt mere end blot en tidsperiode - det var en levet oplevelse, hvor målet var at forbedre menneskelige vilkår.

Political economy had been studied long before Adam Smith. But Wealth of Nations (1776) established it for the first time as a separate science. Smith based his arguments on vast historical knowledge, and developed his principles with remarkable clarity. What set this work apart was its statement of the doctrine of natural liberty. Smith believed that "man's self-interest is God's providence" - that if government abstained from interfering with free competition, the invisible hand of capitalism would emerge from the competing claims of individual self-interest. Industrial problems would be resolved and maximum efficiency reached. After more than two centuries, Smith's work still stands as the best statement and defense of the fundamental principles of capitalism.

Political economy had been studied long before Adam Smith. But Wealth of Nations (1776) established it for the first time as a separate science. Smith based his arguments on vast historical knowledge, and developed his principles with remarkable clarity. What set this work apart was its statement of the doctrine of natural liberty. Smith believed that "man's self-interest is God's providence" - that if government abstained from interfering with free competition, the invisible hand of capitalism would emerge from the competing claims of individual self-interest. Industrial problems would be resolved and maximum efficiency reached. After more than two centuries, Smith's work still stands as the best statement and defense of the fundamental principles of capitalism.