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Adam Smith on the subordination of wage-earners in the commercial society

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  • Jean Dellemotte
  • Benoît Walraevens

Abstract

Adam Smith's discourse on wage labour is both original for its time and complex. While Smith indisputably considered the substitution of serfdom by wage labour as an improvement in both opulence and independence, we argue that he nevertheless saw the wage relationship as one founded on subordination. We then cast light on the material factors and symbolic mechanisms which, in his writings, explain how and why the worker agrees to this subordination. Finally, we endeavour to show that Smith's praise for the system of natural liberty as well as his repeated criticisms of merchants and capital owners aimed to transcend this issue.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean Dellemotte & Benoît Walraevens, 2015. "Adam Smith on the subordination of wage-earners in the commercial society," The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(4), pages 692-727, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:eujhet:v:22:y:2015:i:4:p:692-727
    DOI: 10.1080/09672567.2013.792375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jeffrey T. Young, 1997. "Economics as a Moral Science," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 842.
    2. Ricardo, David, 1821. "On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, edition 3, number ricardo1821.
    3. Winch,Donald, 1996. "Riches and Poverty," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521559201.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreas Ortmann & Benoit Walraevens, 2014. "The Rhetorical Structure of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations (and the importance of acknowledging it)," Discussion Papers 2014-11, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    2. Ecem Okan, 2017. "How did it all begin? Adam Smith on the early and rude state of society and the age of hunters," Post-Print hal-03171143, HAL.
    3. José M. Menudo, 2017. "Turgot, Smith and Steuart on Stadial Histories," Working Papers 17.14, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    4. Andreas Ortmann & Benoit Walraevens, 2015. "The Rhetorical Structure of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations (and the importance of acknowledging it)," Discussion Papers 2014-11A, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.

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