An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

What it is

This is the complete text of Adam Smith's book, often called simply The Wealth of Nations The table of contents shows it is organised into books and chapters covering labour, money, prices, wages, profit and rent.

Why it matters

This book is Smith's major contribution to economic thought, exploring what creates wealth and how markets function. It remains one of the most influential works in the history of economics, and its arguments about labour, trade and self-interest shaped how later thinkers, including Smith's critics among the physiocrats, approached the subject.

Look closer

• Why does Smith begin his book by discussing the division of labour?
• What might it mean that his book is organised into separate books on labour, stock, and wages?
• How might reading the table of contents alone give a different impression than reading the full text?