Founding Texts of Economics

<p>Smith’s <em>Wealth of Nations</em> Marx’s <em>Capital</em> and Keynes’s <em>General Theory</em> are three paradigmatic texts which are foundational to any study of economics or political economy. Although they have long been abundantly quoted and commented on these “Great Books” paradoxically are being read less and less as the price of their success. The aim of this book is to encourage the reader to re-read these Texts by providing “theoretical and conceptual entries” in the spirit of a reasoned dictionary. Hence the return to these works in the text in statu nascendi to shed light on their complexities to loosen the imperialism of received ideas and to underline their topicality from a theoretical point of view and to understand contemporary economic issues. For example Adam Smith’s view of the need to add a liberal state to the “system of natural liberty” Marx’s view of the ability of the capitalist system to overcome temporarily but periodically its contradictions or Keynes’ view of the essential role of psychology in the decisions and behaviour of men in society.</p><p>This book is vital reading for anyone interested in the history of economic thought the founding theories of political economy and the history of ideas more broadly.</p>