The Wealth of Nations

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Focusing on the foundations of classical economics, the book explores the dynamics of labor division, productivity, and free markets, emphasizing how wealth is generated through productive labor. Adam Smith argues that self-interest drives individuals to optimize resource use, leading to capital investments that yield profits. As a pivotal work published in 1776 during the Industrial Revolution, it provides one of the earliest comprehensive analyses of wealth creation, solidifying Smith's reputation as a key figure in economic thought and the Scottish Enlightenment.