Speaking of Smith Archives

Three Ways of Looking at the Water-Diamond “Paradox”

April 14, 2021

How should students and scholars think about Adam Smith's comparison of the worth of water to that of diamonds? Virginia Tech Economics Professor Kwok Ping Tsang shares three ways of looking at it below.

Adam Smith and the Market for Kidneys for Transplantation

April 11, 2021

Could the kidney transplantation system benefit from an injection of Adam Smith's ideas? Authors Castro and Elias, drawing on research published with Gary Becker, share their analysis below.

Adam Smith and the Creation of Horror in Frankenstein

April 7, 2021

What makes Mary Shelley's Frankenstein one of the most effective horror novels of all time? The answer would be incomplete without reference to Adam Smith.

Adam Smith y Política Fiscal

April 4, 2021

Costa Rican economist Thelmo Vargas-Madrigal explains the relevance of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations to modern discussions of public policy and the provision of public goods.

What Adam Smith Ate: Scotch Pie

March 31, 2021

Distinctive because of their straight-sided crust, pastry topper, and pate-like filling of spiced beef or lamb, these meat pies are still popular in Scotland as take-along snacks.

Adam Smith on Fiscal Policy

March 28, 2021

Costa Rican economist Thelmo Vargas-Madrigal explains the relevance of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations to modern discussions of public policy and the provision of public goods.

Adam Smith on the Interests of Labor and Business

March 24, 2021

According to Smith, to understand business economics we need to see that both labor and business should be recognized as classes, and that both pursue separate interests and agendas that sometimes conflict.

Adam Smith on Political Parties

March 21, 2021

Smith had both understanding of and insight into political parties, and while he spoke candidly about their harmful effects, he also believed that they could play an important role in reforming abuse and securing tranquility and happiness in the state.

Dear Adam Smith: Roommate Woes

March 17, 2021

Can Mr. Smith help reconcile roommates who, while once close, have grown apart?

Benevolence, Beneficence, and Beneficialness

March 15, 2021

What do these "three B's" have to do with the sentiment of gratitude? Daniel B. Klein explains.

What Adam Smith Ate: Basque Cabbage Soup

March 10, 2021

Born of the mountains and the border with the Basque region of Spain, Garbure is a hearty vegetable soup featuring beans and the confit duck legs of the Languedoc region, along with a good dose of Basque pepper spice, piment d’espelette.

Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations: Maybe We Can Tweet That!

March 7, 2021

Why did AdamSmithWorks recently tweet the entire Wealth of Nations?