Truck, Barter, and Exchange: Adam Smith’s Views on Trade, Economics, and Interpersonal Relations

The American Idea by Ashbrook Center

Episode notes

How can liberal society respond to current demands on economics and society? Smith addresses far more than economics and, in fact, wrote extensively on morality and moral judgments in interpersonal and social relations. What did he believe and what can we learn from him, and from his two books The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) and The Wealth of Nations (1776)? Smith posits that moral sentiments are a two-way street, and that we can’t help but, as we interact with others, “feel” with others - to put ourselves in others’ shoes. Smith also discusses what he believes makes nations wealthy, and the tension between efficiency and human dignity.

Host: Jeff Sikkenga

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Keywords
political economyadam smithcentral planningliberty