Adam Smith’s Lost Legacy Companion Web Site is for people interested in the 18^th century Scottish moral philosopher, Adam Smith (1723-90), and in his continuing impact on policy debates across the world. 

ASLL provides information about his Moral Philosophy and Political Economy and news of efforts to prevent the dissipation of his intellectual legacy and invites contributions to current debates based on what Smith actually proposed, supported or advised.

ASLL is not affiliated to any political party and is totally independent.  It operates through research, exchanges of views and debate on the ideas of Adam Smith, as published in Moral Sentiments and Wealth of Nations.  

ASLL challenges false ideas about Adam Smith and it is a resource for all who are interested in his life, books and policies.

Blog Outrages!

Welcome to Adam Smith’s Lost Legacy Companion Web Site. 

Most people know of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations only by reputation.  Readers are a distinct minority.   No wonder that false ideas ascribed to Adam Smith continue to circulate in public policy and debate.

Smith’s intellectual legacy was transformed in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, often into the opposite of what he actually recommended.  What Smith wrote about that was relevant to his world of mid-18^th century Britain might merit consideration two centuries on, but not by a slavish use of misunderstood quotations isolated from their context.

Smith wrote for the 18^th century.  He did not foresee an ‘industrial revolution’ nor did he anticipate ‘capitalism’, neither knowing the words nor the phenomena. He did not consider it appropriate for society to be run by or for ‘merchants and manufacturers’, and nor did he accept that the rich and powerful, including kings, had the right to oppress with punitive laws. He did not encourage laissez faire (two words he never used) because he was aware of the limitations of markets and of the usefulness and limitations of the State, and nor did he support leaving the poor without realistic opportunities of sharing in their country’s wealth. 

In short, Smith’s ideas did not qualify him for the phoney cliché title of the ‘High Priest of Capitalism’ or its ‘Apostle’, and neither was he a sort of leftwing, or even moderate, ‘socialist’.  He was a firm believer in the positive influence of commerce through trade and exchange in harmonising social and international relations in a society subject to the rule of law, justice and with representative government.

About the author

Following the fall of Warsaw Pact he took the ‘peace dividend’ and switched from addressing military, diplomatic and defence industry audiences to addressing business leaders and managers on negotiation.

He divides his time between Edinburgh and Bordeaux and spends much of it researching and writing.  He is married to Patricia.  They have three children and two children from his first marriage, plus four grand children.