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Poverty, Inequality, and the Role of Government: What Would Adam Smith Say?

Author

Listed:
  • Sandy Baum

    (Skidmore College)

Abstract

This paper uses Smith's views on the distribution of income and poverty to support the argument that Smith's advocacy of laissez-faire was limited and historically specific. It discusses the relevance of these views in providing philosophical underpinning for modern social policy. Examination of Smith's ideas using the frameworks of several modern theoretical constructs, including Rawlsian justice, interdependent utility functions, countervailing power, and the theory of the second best, helps to make this link between eighteenth century thought and twentieth century policy analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandy Baum, 1992. "Poverty, Inequality, and the Role of Government: What Would Adam Smith Say?," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 18(2), pages 143-156, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:18:y:1992:i:2:p:143-156
    as

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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/eej/Archive/Volume18/V18N2P143_156.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nathan Rosenberg, 1990. "Adam Smith and the Stock of Moral Capital," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 22(1), pages 1-18, Spring.
    2. R. G. Lipsey & Kelvin Lancaster, 1956. "The General Theory of Second Best," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 24(1), pages 11-32.
    3. Michael Perelman, 1989. "Adam Smith and Dependent Social Relations," History of Political Economy, Duke University Press, vol. 21(3), pages 503-520, Fall.
    4. Hochman, Harold M & Rodgers, James D, 1969. "Pareto Optimal Redistribution," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 59(4), pages 542-557, Part I Se.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Drylie, Scott, 2021. "Adam Smith on schooling: A classical liberal rereading," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 748-770.
    2. Rudi Verburg, 2006. "John Stuart Mill's Political Economy: Educational Means to Moral Progress," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 64(2), pages 225-246.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Poverty;

    JEL classification:

    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General

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