The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
The work is a comprehensive treatise on economics, focusing on the nature and causes of wealth. It begins by examining the division of labor and its effects on productivity. The author argues that economic growth is driven by specialization and trade. The book is divided into five books. Book I discusses the concept of value and the origin of money. Book II examines the causes of improvements in productive powers, including the division of labor and technological advancements. Book III focuses on the nature of commerce and its effects on society. The author argues that commerce promotes economic growth by increasing productivity and reducing costs. Book IV explores the role of government in economic affairs, arguing that excessive government intervention can hinder economic growth. Book V discusses the history of trade and the benefits of free trade. The work concludes with a discussion of the importance of economic freedom and the dangers of mercantilism.
By Adam Smith · First published 1776 · Genre: Economics, Political Philosophy, Social Science · 32 chapters · 420,948 words
First lines
The greatest improvement113 in the productive powers of labour, and the greater part of the skill, dexterity, and judgment with which it is anywhere directed, or applied, seem to have been the effects of the division of labour.
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The Wealth of Nations is listed on Textopian as an essay by Adam Smith, dated 1776 CE.
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- Work type: Essay
- Author: Adam Smith
- Date: 1776 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Economics, Political Philosophy, Social Science, History, Philosophy
- Length: 420,948 words
- Structure: 32 chapters, 2,734 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Economics — The book primarily discusses economic principles, market dynamics, and the nature of wealth.
- Political Philosophy — It explores the relationship between economics and government, addressing issues of policy and governance.
- Social Science — The work examines the social implications of economic systems and their impact on society.
- History — It provides historical context for economic practices and theories of the time.
Tags
Economics · Philosophy · Classics · Capitalism · Market Economy · Free Trade · Division of Labor · Wealth Creation · Innovation · Industrial Revolution · Social Contract · Morality
Contents
- Of the Division of Labour
- Of the Principle which Gives Occasion to the Division of Labour
- That the Division of Labour is Limited by the Extent of the Market
- Of the Origin and Use of Money
- Of the Real and Nominal Price of Commodities, or of their Price in Labour, and their Price in Money
- Of the Component Parts of the Price of Commodities
- Of the Natural and Market Price of Commodities
- Of the Wages of Labour
- Of the Profits of Stock
- Of Wages and Profit in the Different Employments of Labour and Stock
- Of the Rent of Land
- Of the Division of Stock
- Of Money Considered as a Particular Branch of the General Stock of the Society, or of the Expense of Maintaining the National Capital
- Of the Accumulation of Capital, or of Productive and Unproductive Labour
- Of Stock Lent at Interest
- Of the Different Employment of Capitals
- Of the Natural Progress of Opulence
- Of the Discouragement of Agriculture in the Ancient State of Europe after the Fall of the Roman Empire
- Of the Rise and Progress of Cities and Towns, after the Fall of the Roman Empire
- How the Commerce of the Towns Contributed to the Improvement of the Country
- Of the Principle of the Commercial or Mercantile System
- Of Restraints Upon the Importation from Foreign Countries of such Goods as can be Produced at Home
- Of the Extraordinary Restraints Upon the Importation of Goods of Almost all Kinds, from those Countries with which the Balance is Supposed to be Disadvantageous
- Of Drawbacks
- Of Bounties
- Of Treaties of Commerce
- Of Colonies
- Conclusion of the Mercantile System
- Of the Agricultural Systems, or of those Systems of Political Œconomy, which Represent the Produce of Land as Either the Sole or the Principal Source of the Revenue and Wealth of Every Country
- Of the Expenses of the Sovereign or Commonwealth
- Of the Sources of the General or Public Revenue of the Society
- Of Public Debts