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Adam Smith and the Political Economy of American Independance

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  • Robert F. Hebert

Abstract

[fre] II est généralement admis que Smith plaide en faveur de l'indépendance américaine dans la Richesse des Nations. Les fondements explicites de l'argumentation de Smith n'ont pas cependant été examinés avec soin. Récemment Donald Winch a tenté de corriger l'équilibre entre les études de l'économie de Smith et celles de sa politique. Ceci conduit à poser les questions suivantes : Smith est-il favorable à l'indépendance des colonies américaines pour des raisons économiques ou pour des raisons politiques ? Comme Smith n'est guère explicite sur ce point, pouvons-nous nous référer à ce que l'on sait de la position générale de Smith tant dans le domaine politique économique ? . Cet article analyse et explique les fondements de l'argumentaire de Smith en faveur de l'indépendance américaine. Il adopte une position holiste pour chercher à intégrer les pensées économique et politique de Smith, et utilise un modèle coût-bénéfice pour expliquer la positon ultime de Smith à propos de l'indépendance américaine. [eng] It is generally recognized that Adam Smith argued in The Wealth of Nations in favor of independence for the American colonies. The explicit grounds on which Smith based this argument have not been held to close . scrutiny, however. In recent years, Donald Winch has attempted to right the . balance between studies of Smith's economics and his politics. Which raised . the following questions : Did Smith favor independence of the American . colonies on political or economic grounds ? Since Smith was not always . explicit in this regard, what particular grounds can be inferred from what is . generally known about Smith's politics and/or his economics ? . This paper analyzes and explains the grounds for Smith's argument in favor or American independence. It adopts a holistic approach that seeks to integrate Smith's political and economic thought, and utilizes a benefit-cost framework to explicate Smith's final position on the question of American independence.

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  • Robert F. Hebert, 1996. "Adam Smith and the Political Economy of American Independance," Cahiers d'Économie Politique, Programme National Persée, vol. 27(1), pages 73-88.
    • Handle: RePEc:prs:caecpo:cep_0154-8344_1996_num_27_1_1196
    DOI: 10.3406/cep.1996.1196
    Note: DOI:10.3406/cep.1996.1196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. E. G. West, 1976. "Adam Smith's Economics of Politics," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 8(4), pages 515-539, Winter.
    2. Robert B. Ekelund, Jr. & Robert F. Hébert, 1978. "French Engineers, Welfare Economics, and Public Finance in the Nineteenth Century," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 10(4), pages 636-668, Winter.
    3. George J. Stigler, 1971. "Smith's Travels on the Ship of State," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 3(2), pages 265-277, Fall.
    4. Anderson, Gary M & Shughart, William F, II & Tollison, Robert D, 1985. "Adam Smith in the Customhouse," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 93(4), pages 740-759, August.
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