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While it has been pointed to time and again by governments and pundits promoting laissez-faire economics, The Wealth of Nations actually shows that Adam Smith viewed capitalism with a deep suspicion, and tempered his celebration of a self-regulating market with a darker vision of the dehumanizing potential of a profit-oriented society. Smith did not write an economics textbook, but rather a panoramic narrative about the struggle for individual liberty and general prosperity in history. This edition includes generous selections from all five books of The Wealth of Nations. It also provides full notes and a commentary that places Smith's work within a rich interdisciplinary context.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
This work investigates the fundamental mechanisms of economic production, market regulation, and the role of government in fostering national prosperity. Adam Smith, an 18th-century moral philosopher, synthesizes historical observations and social theory to argue that individual pursuit of self-interest within a competitive market often leads to broader social benefits. The text challenges mercantilist policies of the era, proposing a framework where labor division and free trade serve as the primary drivers of wealth accumulation.
What You Will Find
Experts recognize this text as a foundational document in classical economics that requires careful reading due to its dense 18th-century prose. Scholars frequently emphasize that this edition is particularly useful for its interdisciplinary commentary, which helps modern readers navigate Smith's complex moral and political arguments.
Page Count:
688
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0199535922
ISBN-13:
9780199535927
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