{"product_id":"the-rule-of-the-rich-susan-e-gallagher-9780271024967","title":"The Rule of the Rich?: Adam Smith's Argument Against Political Power","description":"\u003cp\u003eUsually viewed as the premier apologist for laissez-faire capitalism, Smith is seen in this new interpretation within the context of an earlier tradition that condemned the British aristocracy for relinquishing its moral obligation to promote the public good in favor of an unceasing pursuit of private gain.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough separate chapters on Mandeville, Bolingbroke, and Hume, Gallagher shows that Smith echoed civic humanist sermons against the avaricious inclinations of the nobles who profited most from commercial expansion. Unlike earlier critics, however, Smith concluded that the most prudent response to aristocratic corruption was not to hold ministers, kings, and social notables to higher standards but to limit their access to political power. \u003ci\u003eThe Rule of the Rich?\u003c\/i\u003e accordingly shows that the case for limited government made in \u003ci\u003eThe Wealth of Nations\u003c\/i\u003e was not a defense of individual liberty so much as a concession to the apparent incompetence of the British upper class.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Susan E. Gallagher\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0271024968\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780271024967\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penn State University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/15\/1998\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 152\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.51lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.35d","brand":"Susan E. Gallagher","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48621662896383,"sku":"9780271024967","price":40.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-rule-of-the-rich-susan-e-gallagher-9780271024967","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}