In 1776 Adam Smith (1723-90) wrote The Wealth of Nations, a book so foundational it has led to him being called the 'father of economics'. Today he is associated with the promotion of self-interest, a defence of greed and a criticism of any governmental 'interference' in market transactions...

Acknowledgements --Abbreviations to Adam Smith's Works --Introduction --Commercial Society, History, and the Four Stages Theory --Domination, Liberty, and the Rule of Law --Smith and Rousseau, after Hume and Mandeville --Whose Corruption, Which Polity? --The Conspiracy of the Merchants...

Frontmatter -- Preface -- Contents -- Introduction -- Part One -- I. Merchants and Knaves -- II. Farmers and Gentlemen -- III. The Laboring Poor -- IV. Big But Bad Business -- V. The Costs of Evil -- VI. The Learned and the Pious -- VII. A Better World for All -- Part Two -- VIII. False Prophets...