A critical view, in every day language, of much unread foundation text of right-wing political economy. Gwydion Williams finds that Smith described not the division of labour, but fragmentation of work; his famous example of pin-making is flawed, and industrialism is not necessarily capitalist.

A critical view, in every day language, of much unread foundation text of right-wing political economy. There is analysis of Adam Smith on division of labour, small government, free trade and the need to promote productive labour. Gwydion Williams finds that Smith described not the division of labour, but fragmentation of work; his famous example of pin-making is flawed, and industrialism is not necessarily capitalist.

Part I Adam Smith as a famous unknown: lowland origins
Great-British Union
the rejection of Christianity
the road to "moral sentiments"
all the king's friends
from Jacobite to Jacobin
Britannia's rise and fall
the rights of money
negotiating with necessity
the invisible hand. Part II The "social" division of labour: blessed are the pinmakers
economical with the truth
elaborations of labour
watches and radicalism
the historic specialization of labourers
from Plato to Petty
market &
non-market division of labour
with or without nations?
a visible hand - the state
progress without capitalism
the true history of pins
the corporate pin maker
labour, money and value. Part III What is wealth?: never mind the product, feel the money
productive and unproductive
personal choices
churchmen and buffoons
the unproductive state
wealth equals commodities
economical with Nobel laurels
the slave chain and the steam engine. Part IV Gentlemen and shopkeepers: the Georgian industrialization
asocial capitalism
the end of economics
the radical rich
progress and industrialization
freedom to shop?
why no-one makes a traffic jam
what's capitalist anyway?
Smith and the revolted Americans
Smith's "words clothed in reason's garb"
industrialism or capitalism?
the Kirkcaldy kid and his context
serendipity - Robinson's crusade. Roots and beginnings.