The Founding Texts of Economics: Reading Smith’s Wealth of Nations, Marx’s Capital and Keynes’s General Theory

Three foundational texts in economics and political economy—Smiths Wealth of Nations, Marxs Capital, and Keyness General Theory—are being read less and less due to their success. This book aims to encourage readers to re-read these texts by providing theoretical and conceptual entries in the spirit of a reasoned dictionary, shedding light on their complexities, loosening the imperialism of received ideas, and underlining their topicality from a theoretical point of view. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of economic thought, the founding theories of political economy, and the history of ideas more broadly.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Smith's Wealth of Nations, Marx's Capital, and Keynes's General Theory are three pivotal texts in the study of economics and political economy. Despite their extensive use and commentary, these "Great Books" have seen a decline in readership due to their success. This book aims to encourage readers to revisit these texts by offering theoretical and conceptual entries in the spirit of a reasoned dictionary. By revisiting these works in their nascent stages, the book seeks to shed light on their complexities, challenge prevailing ideas, and highlight their relevance to contemporary economic issues. For instance, Adam Smith's perspective on the need for a liberal state to complement the "system of natural liberty," Marx's analysis of the capitalist system's ability to temporarily resolve its contradictions, and Keynes's emphasis on the role of psychology in shaping men's decisions and behavior in society. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of economic thought, the founding theories of political economy, and the broader history of ideas.

Weight: 432g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032648972