On the Origins of Classical Economics: Distribution and Value from William Petty to Adam Smith

by Tony Aspromourgos

Overview

Examines the origin and early development of the classical theory of distribution up to 1767, stressing the concept of economic ‘surplus' as a key determinant of economic phenomena.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415513500
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/04/2011
Series:	Routledge Studies in the History of Economics
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Tony Aspromourgos

Table of Contents

1. Introduction, 2.The Life of Petty in Relation to His Economics, 3.Economic Surplus and the Social Division of Labour, 4.Methodological and the Political Bases of Petty's Economics, 5.The Theory of Production and Distribution in Cantillon's Essai, 6.The Significance of Value and Parity in Petty and Cantillon, 7.Petty-Cantillon-Quesnay: the formation of the surplus approach, 8. Wages, Prices and Economic Surplus in Steuart's Principles, 9.Developments in the Theory of Distribution and Value, 1662-1767, 10.Adam Smith and After.

Editorial Reviews

Traces the formative history up to 1767 of the concept of economic or social surplus as a fundamental determinant of a range of economic phenomena, especially income distribution and commodity exchange values, for which it remained the dominant framework until the latter half of the 19th century. Focuses on the work of William Petty (1623-87) and how it contributed to Adam Smith's 1776 Wealth of Nations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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