ADAM SMITH’S ENLIGHTENED WORLD

Commerce, morality, equality, the rule of law, and the role of government… Welcome to the world of Adam Smith.

What can we learn about our own world from Smith? Join the workers in an 18th century pin factory to find out more…

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Listen to the latest podcast episodes with full show notes and transcripts.

The Great Antidote

Speaking of Smith is a blog that explores the ideas, legacy, and relevance of Adam Smith.

Speaking of Smith

Latest

The Invisible Power of Special Interest Groups

June 11, 2025 Adam Smith gives reasons in Wealth of Nations to think that countering ambition with ambition is not enough in a world of special interests looking to influence, rather than directly control, the government. 

Extra: Ryan Streeter on Cultural Communities and the Civitas Institute

Anna Leman listens in to a Great Antidote about saying "yes" even when "no" is easy and familiar. 

Extra: Charlotte Thomas on Learning and the Liberal Arts

What is the defining characteristic of a liberal art? NEW ASW author Anna Leman gives you some questions to start with as you listen to Charlotte Thomas and Juliette Sellgren's Great Antidote podcast. 

It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You in September with Amy Willis

In this special episode of The Great Antidote, Amy Willis of Liberty Fund takes the mic to interview Juliette Sellgren, the voice behind the show. Together, they reflect on the evolution of the podcast—from its early days to the hundreds of guests it has featured—and how Juliette herself has grown in the process.

Explore.

An Animal That Trades

A five-part short video series on the life and contemporary relevance of Adam Smith.

The Smith Questionnaire

The Smith Questionnaire Watch as we subject some of our favorite scholars to some silly questions about Smith.

Learn.

Adam Abducted

March 3, 2025 Doug Curtis and Jeremy Lott are back at AdamSmithWorks illustrating a colorful event from Adam Smith early years.

Why Read Adam Smith Today? Enduring Insight

September 9, 2024. After a year-long celebration of Adam Smith's birth in 2023, Peter Boettke addresses those still not well-versed with Smith's magisterial work of political economy.

Teach.

Prices Toolkit

Explore prices, starting with Adam Smith. 

Wealth of Nations

AdamSmithWorks Lesson Plans

Original, classroom-ready activities to use with your students TODAY.

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Lectures on Jurisprudence

Smith’s Lectures on Jurisprudence, originally delivered at the University of Glasgow in 1762–1763, presents his “theory of the rules by which civil government ought to be directed.” The chief purpose of government, according to Smith, is to preserve justice; and “the object of justice is security from injury.” The state must protect the individual’s right to his person, property, reputation, and social relations.