The Rule of the Rich?

In The Rule of the Rich? Adam Smith's Argument Against Political Power, Susan E. Gallagher offers a profound reinterpretation of one of history's most influential thinkers. This volume 1 work examines Adam Smith through the lens of civic humanism rather than as a mere apologist for laissez-faire capitalism. Gallagher explores how Smith responded to the moral failings of the British aristocracy, who prioritized private gain over the public good. By analyzing the influences of Mandeville, Bolingbroke, and Hume, the text illustrates how Smith viewed the avaricious nature of the nobility during periods of commercial expansion.

This scholarly contribution to political science and political theory argues that Smith's advocacy for limited government was a strategic response to aristocratic corruption. Instead of demanding higher moral standards from the ruling class, Smith sought to restrict their access to political power. The Rule of the Rich? Adam Smith's Argument Against Political Power provides an essential analysis of the intersection between law, politics, and market economics.