The Wealth of Nations | Adam Smith

Wealth of Nations [Selections]

Extended Synopsis

First published in 1776, Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations is a fundamental work in classical economics, offering one of the world's first comprehensive and connected accounts of what builds a nation's wealth. The ideas expressed within its pages dismantled the traditional philosophy of mercantilism and forged the path for capitalist mass production, free enterprise, and modern institutional democracy.

This specific edition features the landmark 1953 abridgement meticulously edited by Ludwig von Mises, a staunch defender of the capitalist free enterprise system who viewed Smith as its founding father. By distilling an otherwise unwieldy classic, von Mises succeeded in making Smith's magnum opus highly accessible and clear for the modern reader. This volume is a full facsimile reproduction of that foundational 1953 compilation, preserving the historical text without relying on optical recognition software.

Reader Targeting

• Students and academics seeking a foundational understanding of classical economic theory and political economy.
• Researchers of political science and conservatism interested in the philosophical roots of modern institutional democracy.
• Advocates of free-market capitalism looking for a streamlined, accessible version of a historically unwieldy text.

About the Author & Editor

Adam Smith (1723–1790) was a Scottish economist, philosopher, and a central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment. He is widely considered the father of modern economics. The editor, Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973), was a leading scholar of the Austrian School of economic thought, heavily influencing classical liberal and libertarian philosophy through his rigorous defense of free markets and private property.

Accolades & Awards

The Wealth of Nations is universally acclaimed as the cornerstone of economic science. This particular edition is widely praised as a thoughtful and highly useful abridgement, perfectly calibrating Smith's expansive theories for contemporary clarity.

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