Despite his fame, there is still widespread ignorance about the breadth of Adam Smiths contributions to economics, politics and philosophy. In ADAM SMITH -- A PRIMER, Eamonn Butler provides an authoritative introduction to the life and work of this founder of economics. The author examines not only 'The Wealth of Nations', with its insights on trade and the division of labour, but also Smiths less well-known works, such as 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments', his lectures, and his writings on the history of science. Butler therefore provides a comprehensive, but concise, overview of Adam Smiths intellectual achievements. Whilst earlier writers may have studied economic matters, it is clear that the scope of Smiths enquiries was remarkable. In relating economic progress to human nature and institutional evolution he provided a completely new understanding of how human society works, and was very much a precursor of later writers such as Hayek and Popper. Indeed, with poor governance, protectionism and social engineering still commonplace, Smiths arguments are still highly relevant to policymakers today. ADAM SMITH -- A PRIMER includes a foreword by Sir Alan Peacock, an introduction by Gavin Kennedy and a commentary by Craig Smith.
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Since 1776? Worth Waiting For.
15 Jun 2008
By S. J. Masty
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This is the finest, clearest, most concise, least politically-loaded, most readable and welcome biography of Adam Smith ever written, and every economist I know has concurred. The author portrays Smith not as some right-wing bully-boy or libertarian ideologue or proto Social Darwinian, but as the world's first behavioural psychologist, studying people and incentives. The portrait will surprise anyone, even those of us who thought we had a clear picture of Smith from university.
Smith emerges as profoundly interesting, rubbing elbows with every thinker of his age, while giving a view of the world that is stunningly modern in almost every regard -- with a sensible role for public and private sectors that few would disagree with nowadays apart from either far extreme. Meanwhile, Smith's damning attacks on colonialism and greedy and unproductive mercantilist economics, will resonate even now, showing him as being far ahead of his time.
Smith emerges as profoundly interesting, rubbing elbows with every thinker of his age, while giving a view of the world that is stunningly modern in almost every regard -- with a sensible role for public and private sectors that few would disagree with nowadays apart from either far extreme. Meanwhile, Smith's damning attacks on colonialism and greedy and unproductive mercantilist economics, will resonate even now, showing him as being far ahead of his time.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Short Introduction to Adam Smith
12 Dec 2010
By P. Johnson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hands down the best introduction to Adam Smith. Short, fair, balanced. Gives due weight to all his work. What I especially love is the degree to which he is demonstrated to be a modern thinker - i.e. as the previous reviewer pointed out, he anticipated behavioral economics by 200 years. He blended psychology and political economy. He integrates human nature into his case for liberty, and goes beyond simplistic overemphasis on efficiency. The book has pages of famous and less well known quotes at the end - very handy. If it could be bought direct from a seller located in the U.S. I would assign it as a required reading in my principles of economics class.
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