Collects together Anthony Brewer's work on the origins and development of the theory of economic growth from the late eighteenth century and looking at how it came to dominate economic thinking in the nineteenth century

pt. 1. The invention of economic growth -- pt. 2. The Scottish tradition from Hume to Smith -- pt. 3. Accumulation and growth : Turgot and Smith -- pt. 4. Growth, saving and distribution -- pt. 5. Epilogue : John Rae and technical change.

Despite their differences on other questions, Hume and Steuart had almost identical theories of long-run economic development. In their story, agriculture can produce a surplus of food to support urban manufacturing (and other things), but will not do so unless farmers want to trade the surplus...