Show or hide comments about the document.
Search over the document's text.
Share the document through social networks or e-mail.
After selecting an area on the page.
...you can:
copy the text
share the segment
comment
cite the document

Fall 2017

ISSN 0890-913X

Volume 32, Number 3

Categories: Fall 2017 | Capitalism | Marketing

Adam Smith and the Past, Present, and Future of Liberalism

Matt Ridley, House of Lords, London

Download

e-mail

<< Back to editing
Previous version by
<< Older
Newer >>
Revert to this one

Edit
Cancel
Fullscreen

Show comments
Zoom:
Page: / 7

Line spacing:
Word spacing:

Search:FindClose

search results

TheJournalofPrivateEnterprise32(3),2017,1–7AdamSmithandthePast,Present,andFutureofLiberalismMattRidley∗HouseofLords,London______________________________________________________AbstractAdamSmithperceivedjusthowmuchspontaneousorderthereisintheworld,andjusthowlittleitneedstop-downexplanationorregulation.Inhisday,championingmarketsandmistrustinggovernmentwasconsidered“left-wing”—radical,populist,andliberal.AfterMarx,however,theleftswitchedtochampioninggovernmentagainstmarkets.Yetitisthemarketthathasdeliverednotjustprosperity,butfreedom,whilegovernmentshavebeenresponsiblefortheworstatrocitiesofthepastcentury.Populistrevoltsagainstoligarchiestodaycanbeeitherhopeful(Brexit)orworrying(Trump)forlibertarians.Beingpromarketdoesnotmeanbeingprobusiness.______________________________________________________JELCodes:B12,B30,B31,C9,P160,P170Keywords:AdamSmith,VernonSmith,capitalism,innovation,censorship,laboratoryexperimentsI.SmithandHisPrecursorsWhatissospecialaboutAdamSmith,aprovincialtaxinspectorwholivedwithhismother,tutoredayoungduke,andhadnosmalltalk?Doeshereallydeserveourpraise?IoncewentinsearchofagoodpubinEdinburghwiththehistorianNiallFerguson,andaswewalkeddownthestreet,hesaidtome:thequestionisnotwhatwouldAdamSmithdonow,becausehewouldgohometohismum,butwhatwouldDavidHumedo,becausehelovedtogetdrunk.Smithsawmoreclearlythananybodybeforethatmuchoftheworldisanemergent,bottom-upplaceofspontaneousorder,and∗Thispapercomesfromtheauthor’slectureonreceivingtheAssociationofPrivateEnterpriseEducation’sAdamSmithAward.ItisanenormoushonortoaccepttheAdamSmithaward.Itwouldbeagreathonoranyway,buttoreceiveitinthepresenceofgreatAdamSmithscholarssuchasJimOtteson,whohastaughtmemoreaboutSmiththananybodyelse,andfriendslikeHannesGissaurusonandGabrielCalzada,isparticularlyhumbling.

GLIFOS-digital_archive

Metadata [hide]

Title	Adam Smith and the Past, Present, and Future of Liberalism
Authors/Creators:	Matt Ridley, House of Lords, London
Year:	2017
Volume:	32
Number:	3
Pages:	1 - 7
Publisher:	The Association of Private Enterprise Education
ISSN:	0890-913X
Document Type:	Articles
Keywords:	Adam Smith, Vernon Smith, capitalism, innovation, censorship, laboratory experiments

Citation:
Ridley, Matt / 2017. "Adam Smith and the Past, Present, and Future of Liberalism." The Journal of Private Enterprise, 32(3): 1-7.