Adam Smith and the poor: A textual analysis

Christopher Martin

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2021, vol. 184, issue C, 837-849

Abstract: Scholars of classical economics have largely rejected the popular view of Adam Smith as an apologist for big business indifferent to the plight of the poor. To test and ultimately vindicate this consensus, I attempt to tabulate all mentions of the poor in Smith's published works in which their well-being is under discussion. For each such appearance I assess his attitude toward such well-being, as well as where his sympathies lie should there be a conflict between the poor on one side and the rich and powerful on the other. The textual search strongly supports the idea that Smith was indeed partial to workers and the poor, although this judgment requires that the reader enter into Smith's patterns of thought about property rights, economic growth, and the system of natural liberty.

Keywords: Adam Smith; Labor; Workers; Poverty; Role of government (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B12 B31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:184:y:2021:i:c:p:837-849

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.08.035

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