Managing the Wealth of Nations: Political Economies of Change in Preindustrial Europe

Adam Smith argued that commerce and manufactures brought order and good government, but Philipp Robinson Rössner shows that it was often the other way around. This book explores the development of capitalism from the Middle Ages to the modern day, highlighting the areas where premodern political economies of growth and development made a difference. It challenges the neoliberal origin myth of capitalism and provides a new perspective on the history of economic development.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 27 March 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Adam Smith, in his renowned work "The Wealth of Nations," emphasized the role of commerce and manufactures in bringing order and good government, which in turn fostered individual liberty and security. However, Philipp Robinson Rössner challenges this conventional wisdom by revealing that, when examined through the lens of history, it is often the case that the opposite has occurred. This book traces the evolution of capitalism from the Middle Ages to the industrial revolution and into the modern era, shedding fresh light on the areas where premodern political economies of growth and development played a significant role. It demonstrates how order and governance laid the groundwork for prosperity, growth, and the accumulation of national wealth. Intended for scholars and students of economic history, this groundbreaking study debunks the neoliberal narrative of how capitalism emerged in the world.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 240 x 161 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529211221