The Wealth of Nations

First published in 1776, The Wealth of Nations is considered the seminal work on political economy. Its author, Adam Smith, formulated the basic but groundbreaking concept that the natural human inclination toward self-interest results in prosperity. His passionate arguments in favor of free trade, rather than stringent government regulations, posit that individuals are entitled to set and regulate prices for their own goods and services. 
Smith's masterpiece of economic analysis was regarded as revolutionary upon its initial publication, and it continues to exert an active influence on modern politicians and economists. Rich in historical background and acute observations of the eighteenth-century, the book is also an insightful work of political philosophy. Witty and highly readable, it abounds in prescient theories that form the basis of today's capitalist system.

A Scottish professor of moral philosophy, Adam Smith (1723–90) combined economics, history, political theory, and philosophy to create this treatise on what has come to be known as laissez-faire economics.

Contents

Preface
Editor's Introduction
Introduction and Plan of the Work

Book I Of the Causes and Improvement in the productive Powers of Labour, and of the Order according to which its Produce is naturally distributed among the different Ranks of the People
Chapter I Of the Division of Labour
Chapter II Of the Principle which gives Occasion to the Division of Labour
Chapter III That the Division of Labour is limited by the Extent of the Market
Chapter IV Of the Origin and Use of Money
Chapter V Of the real and nominal Price of Commodities, or of their Price in Labour, and their Price in Money
Chapter VI Of the component Parts of the Price of Commodities
Chapter VII Of the natural and market Price of Commodities
Chapter VIII Of the Wages of Labour
Chapter IX Of the Profits of Stock
Chapter X Of Wages and Profits in the different Employments of Labour and Stock
Chapter XI Of the Rent of Land

Book II Of the Nature, Accumulation, and Employment of Stock
Introduction
Chapter I Of the Division of Stock
Chapter II Of Money considered as a particular Branch of the general Stock of the Society, or of the Expence of maintaining the National Capital
Chapter III Of the Accumulation of Capital, or of productive and unproductive Labour
Chapter IV Of Stock lent at Interest
Chapter V Of the different Employment of Capitals

Book III Of the different Progress of Opulence in different Nations
Chapter I Of the Natural Progress of Opulence
Chapter II Of the Discouragement of Agriculture in the ancient State of Europe after the Fall of the Roman Empire
Chapter III Of the Rise and Progress of Cities and Towns, after the Fall of the Roman Empire
Chapter IV How the Commerce of the Towns contributed to the Improvement of the Country

Book IV Of Systems of political Economy
Introduction
Chapter I Of the Principle of the commercial, or mercantile System
Chapter II Of Restraints upon the Importation from foreign Countries of such Goods as can be produced at Home
Chapter III Of the extraordinary Restraints upon the Importation of Goods almost all Kinds, from those countries with which the Balance is supposed to be disadvantageous
Chapter IV Of Drawbacks
Chapter V Of Bounties
Chapter VI Of Treaties of Commerce
Chapter VII Of Colonies
Chapter VIII Conclusion of the Mercantile System
Chapter IX Of the Agricultural Systems, or of those Systems of Political Economy, which represent the Produce of Land, as either the sole or the principal Source of the Revenue and Wealth of every Country

Book V Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth
Chapter I Of the Expences of the Sovereign or Commonwealth
Chapter II Of the Sources of the general or public Revenue of the Society
Chapter III Of public Debts

Appendix on the Herring Bounty
Index I. Subjects
Index II. Authorities