It is in Books IV and V of The Wealth of Nations that Adam
Smith offers his considered response to the French Physiocrats,
perhaps the first great school of economic theorists, and assesses
the nature of the mercantile system, particularly the colonial
relationship with America, whose achievements could have been even
more spectacular if conditions of free trade and economic union had
existed. Even on the eve of the Declaration of Independence, Smith
famously predicted that America "will be one of the foremost
nations of the world." It is also here that he develops the case
for a limited state role in economic planning, notably to combat
market failure and induce efficiency in areas such as education,
public works, justice, and defense. His pioneering analysis still
provides many subtle and penetrating insights into one of today''s
most vital and controversial policy debates.
Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Andrew Skinner
關於作者:
Adam Smith 1723-1790 was born in Scotland and educated at
Glasgow and Oxford universities. He became tutor to the Duke of
Buccleuch and traveled extensively, meeting many of the leading
thinkers of the day.
Andrew Skinner is Adam Smith Professor of Political Economy,
Emeritus, at Glasgow University, Scotland, and the editor of the
Penguin Classics edition of The Wealth of Nations, Books I-III.
目錄:
Preface
Adam Smith
Abbreviations and References
Introduction by Andrew Skinner
Further Reading
THE WEALTH OF NATIONS
BOOK IV
BOOK V
Notes on the Index
Index