Evaluating Adam Smith : creating the Wealth of nations / Willie Henderson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Henderson, Willie, 1947-

Series:

Routledge studies in the history of economics ; 80.

Routledge studies in the history of economics ; 80

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Smith, Adam, 1723-1790. Inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations.

Smith, Adam.

Smith, Adam, 1723-1790--Criticism and interpretation.

Smith, Adam, 1723-1790--Criticism, Textual.

Smith, Adam, 1723-1790.

Criticism, Textual.

Criticism and interpretation.

Physical Description:

xvii, 164 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2006.

Summary:

This important new book builds on the understanding that Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations "is best viewed as a cultural document, created within the context of eighteenth century notions of human nature, economy and argument, and that familiarity and rhetoric played a part in its success. Using discourse analysis, Henderson explores Smiths rhetorical strategies, relationships with his sources and readers, and his way of constructing his economic vision in writing. He expertly demonstrates techniques of text analysis to the reader in ways that promote a critical reading of Smith and which the reader can then transfer to the analysis of other texts relevant to the intellectual history of economics. Of great interest to those in the fields of economics and Marxism, Henderson's book evaluates the "Wealth of Nations "as a text of historical and modern-day significance.

Contents:

Reading the Wealth of nations and Smith's other writings

How does Smith achieve a synthesis in writing? : evidence from his analysis of the propensity to truck, barter and exchange

Nature's dupes : irony and economic agency in Smith's writing

The political economy of Castle Rackrent : Maria Edgeworth and Adam Smith

Exemplification strategy in Adam Smith's Wealth of nations

A very cautious, or a very polite, Dr. Smith? : hedging in the Wealth of nations

Natural and human institutions : reading for argumentation in book three of the Wealth of nations

Adam Smith's construction of 'history' and 'story' : the analysis of primogeniture.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [153]-160) and index.

ISBN:

0415336686

OCLC:

61229800

Publisher Number:

9780415336680