Search results

Abstract. Response to Sandra J. Peart, "Jevons and Menger Re‐homogenized?: Jaffé After 20 Years," 1998. The American Journal of Economics and Sociology 57(July): 307–325.

It is generally recognized that Adam Smith argued in The Wealth of Nations in favor of independence for the American colonies. The explicit grounds on which Smith based this argument have not been held to close
scrutiny, however. In recent years, Donald Winch has attempted to right the
balance between studies of Smith's economics and his politics. Which raised
the following questions : Did Smith favor independence of the American
colonies on political or economic grounds ? Since Smith was not always
explicit in this regard, what particular grounds can be inferred from what is
generally known about Smith's politics and/or his economics ?
This paper analyzes and explains the grounds for Smith's argument in favor or American independence. It adopts a holistic approach that seeks to integrate Smith's political and economic thought, and utilizes a benefit-cost framework to explicate Smith's final position on the question of American independence.