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

Author

Listed:
  • Jean Dellemotte

    (PHARE - Philosophie, Histoire et Analyse des Représentations Économiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Benoît Walraevens

    (CREM - Centre de recherche en économie et management - UNICAEN - Université de Caen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UR - Université de Rennes - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

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," Post-Print halshs-01244684, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-01244684
    DOI: 10.1080/09672567.2013.792375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Winch,Donald, 1996. "Riches and Poverty," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521559201, June.
    2. Jeffrey T. Young, 1997. "Economics as a Moral Science," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 842.
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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. Benoît Walraevens, 2023. "Moral Sentiments and the Sense of Justice in Smith and Rawls [Sentiments moraux et sens de la justice chez Smith et Rawls]," Post-Print hal-04700018, HAL.
    3. 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.
    4. José M. Menudo, 2017. "Turgot, Smith and Steuart on Stadial Histories," Working Papers 17.14, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Economics.
    5. 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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