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The Wealth of Nations

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The Wealth of Nations

By: Adam Smith
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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About this listen

The foundation for all modern economic thought and political economy, The Wealth of Nations is the magnum opus of Scottish economist Adam Smith, who introduces the world to the very idea of economics and capitalism in the modern sense of the words. Smith details his argument in five books:

  • Book I. Of the Causes of Improvement in the Productive Power of Labour
  • Book II. Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock Introduction
  • Book III. Of the Different Progress of Opulence in Different Nations
  • Book IV. Of Systems of Political Economy
  • Book V. Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth

Taken together, these books form a giant leap forward in the field of economics. A product of the "Age of Enlightenment," The Wealth of Nations is a must for all who wish to gain a better understanding of the principles upon which all modern capitalistic economies have been founded and the process of wealth creation that is engendered by those principles.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor Classics Economics Political Science Politics & Government World Money Taxation Socialism Capitalism Inspiring Imperialism Banking Middle Ages Latin America Business Law Employment Africa Self-Determination Economic Inequality
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So many concepts that underpin capitalist ideology, like the invisible hand, first advanced by Smith here. Indispensable reading. Narration could have been better though, put me to sleep sometimes.

Classic underlying

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This seminal work is a difficult read almost 250 years after it was written but this brilliant reading overcomes that difficulty. Packed with data the text is more accessible by voice. Adam Smith is a moral philosopher and he presents an inarguable case for free trade. This work is even more relevant today in this era of increasing autocracy.

Age Old Truths

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Every ambitious person in their 20s should read this book. It bumps you up at least 3 notches in knowledge and analytical prowess.

If you want a book which can give you a broad strokes model for understanding how life, money, economics, war, politics, law and even religion works, I would suggest you seriously consider this one.

Also contrary to popular opinion this is not a political book by any means. It is descriptive. Smith merely attempts to describe, quite literally, the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

People like to try to say that this was a political tract but it's nothing more than a brass tacks economics and history lesson. It's not libertarian, contrary to what modern day libertarians would have you believe and if they actually read it, Libertarians would realize that Smith wasn't one of their ideologues; though his examination usually leans in the direction of lending support to a libertarian model of the world.

A life changing book

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The Wealth of Nations is a wonderful piece explaining the basics of modern economics, written by the father of Modern economics theory Adam Smith. A massive book to digest, written 250 years ago but still very much relevant to this day.

Highly recommend for anyone who is interested in Economics

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