On the Origins of Classical Economics: Distribution and Value from William Petty to Adam Smith

On the Origins of Classical Economicstakes issue with the assumption that modern Economics began with Adam Smith and the publication ofThe Wealth of Nationsand shows that the origins of classical economic theory have much deeper roots. It deals with the origin and early development of the classical theory of distribution up to 1767 and stresses the concept of economic "surplus" as a key determinant of economic phenoma, especially income distribution and commodity exchange rates. It follows the transmission of ideas from Petty to the Classical School through such writers as Cantillon, Quesnay and Steuart.On the Origins of Classical Economicsis designed to meet the need for an understanding of the cetral elements of the early history of the classical tradistion.