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It is symbolic that Adam Smith's masterpiece
of economic analysis, The Wealth of Nations, was first
published in 1776, the same year as the
Declaration of Independence.
In his book, Smith fervently extolled the simple yet
enlightened notion that individuals are fully capable of
setting and regulating prices for their own goods
and services. He argued passionately in favor of free trade,
yet stood up for the little guy. The Wealth of Nations
provided the first—and still the most eloquent—integrated
description of the workings of a market economy.
The result of Smith's efforts is a witty, highly
readable work of genius filled with prescient theories that
form the basis of a thriving capitalist system. This
unabridged edition offers the modem reader a fresh look at
a timeless and seminal work that revolutionized the
way governments and individuals view the creation and
dispersion of wealth—and that continues to influence
our economy right up to the present day.
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