Adam Smith's Conceptualization of Power, Markets, and Politics

John Elliott

Review of Social Economy, 2000, vol. 58, issue 4, 429-454

Abstract: This paper argues that Adam Smith is a/the "founding father figure" of modern social/political economy as well as economics. Smith wrote extensively and insightfully on the subject of power , and thereby class and stratafication in society. This paper explicates four main types of power relations in Smith's analysis, notably drawing on the Wealth of Nations : wealth power, monopoly power, employer power, and political power. Smith's focus on power helps to differentiate his broader vision and rich discourse from that of many contemporary neoclassical writers and sharpens our appreciation for his contributions to social and political economy.

Keywords: Wealth Power; Monopoly Power; Employer Power; Political Power; Invisible Hand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000
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DOI: 10.1080/00346760050204292

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