Influences of Smith and his critics, like Marx, reflected in the mixed economy of the United States today.
Adam Smith, a very influential eighteenth-century political economist, wrote, “By pursuing his own interest, he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it” (cited in Stiglitz & Rosengard, 2015, p. 62). Considering the quotation, in 1,250-1,500 words, address the following questions.
- Describe what Smith meant by the “invisible hand.” How exactly does it function?
- Describe how Smith’s work is a reaction to mercantilism, which dominated the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. As a point of departure, define mercantilism.
- Discuss if all 19th-century thinkers agree with Smith. How did, for instance, Karl Marx view the doctrine of laissez-faire? What were the inevitable consequences of such an economic system?
- Discuss the influences of Smith and his critics, like Marx, reflected in the mixed economy of the United States today.
Sample Answer
The Invisible Hand
The invisible hand is a metaphor used by Adam Smith to describe how the pursuit of self-interest can lead to unintended beneficial outcomes for society as a whole. Smith argued that individuals who are motivated by self-interest will naturally seek to produce goods and services that are in demand, and to produce them in the most efficient way possible. This, in turn, will lead to lower prices and higher quality goods and services for consumers.