The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation

by David Ricardo

Paperback, 1948

Status

Available

Call number

330

Collection

Publication

Dent / Dutton (Everyman's Library) (1948), Paperback, 300 pages

Description

This work, originally published in 1817, is one of the founding texts of modern economics. Enormously successful as a stockbroker, David Ricardo (1772-1823) was able to lead the life of a wealthy country squire, while his intellectual interests caused him to move in the circles of Thomas Malthus and James Mill. It was at Mill's urging that Ricardo published this book, entered Parliament in 1819 (as an independent member for a rotten Irish borough) and worked for financial and parliamentary reform. Ricardo argues in this work that Adam Smith was mistaken in his understanding of the economic significance of rent, and also demonstrates the mutual benefit of free trade between countries, as against protectionism. The book's findings and conclusions have been controversial since its publication, but led John Stuart Mill to judge Ricardo 'the greatest political economist'.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member thcson
In a way Ricardo's economic theory is akin to Aristotle's physical theory, it feels a bit difficult to get a grip of it since it's presented without any mathematical or graphic aids. Nevertheless it's easy to see why this was a groundbreaking work, Ricardo's economic acumen and the explicitness of
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his arguments are nothing short of brilliant.
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Language

Original publication date

1817

Physical description

300 p.; 7.24 inches

ISBN

0460015907 / 9780460015905
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