This landmark treatise of 1817 formulated the guiding principles behind the market economy. Author Ricardo, with Adam Smith, founded the classical system of political economy, a school of thought that dominated economic policies throughout the 19th century and figured prominently in the theories of John Stuart Mill and Karl Marx. Unabridged reprint of the edition published by J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd., London, 1911.
The Wealth of Nations: Representative Selections by Adam Smith Milestone of political philosophy and first systematic formulation of classical English economics. Emphasizes concept of labor as only source of wealth, and defines wealth as access to convenience and pleasure.
General Economic History by Max Weber Starting with descriptions and analyses of the agrarian systems, the famed economist explores manorial system, guilds, and early capitalism, organization of industry and mining, development of commerce, the transporting of goods, and more.
An Essay on the Principle of Population by T. R. Malthus The first major study of population size and its tremendous importance to the character and quality of society, this classic examines the tendency of human numbers to outstrip their resources.
