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Book Reviews

book review

Interpreting Smith at 300

Max Skjönsberg
December 13, 2023


Skjönsberg reviews Paul Sagar's edited volume of critical essays on Adam Smith. Sagar's edition shows Adam Smith continuing to be a source of insight and inspiration to political theorists, philosophers, historians, economists, and other scholars three hundred years after his birth. 

Tan on Matson's New Paternalism Meets Older Wisdom

Hairuo Tan
December 12, 2024

A new book rewards the reader with lessons from the work of Adam Smith and David Hume to answer the challenges posed by "new paternalists." But more could be done to clarify where the author's work overlaps with those he criticizes and to explain how internal moral and choice mechanisms interact with external factors and policymaking.

Muller on Soll's Free Market: The History of an Idea

Jerry Z. Muller
January 11, 2023


Soll's Smith is scrutinized and Muller demonstrates a minor replication crisis in the Humanities.

Skjönsberg on Stafford's The Case of Ireland

Max Skjönsberg
November 9, 2022


While other countries improved in trade and wealth during the Enlightenment, Ireland remained relatively poorer longer. Adam Smith, James Stafford, and Max Skjönsberg weigh in on the case of Ireland.

Skjönsberg on Sagar's Adam Smith Reconsidered

Max Skjönsberg
June 29, 2022


Conjectural Historian? Moral Philosopher? Political Economist?


What is and should be Adam Smith's place in the history of ideas? 
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