Jerry Evensky on Adam Smith, trust, and the Great Recession

Liberalism and Capitalism (in Social Philosophy and Policy

Economics as a Moral Science (in American Economic Review)

Jerry Evensky on Adam Smith, trust, and the Great Recession

June 1, 2011

Mark D. White

In the latest issue of Journal of the History of Economic Thought (33/2, June 2011) is a new article by Jerry Evensky (author of Adam Smith's Moral Philosophy: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective on Markets, Law, Ethics, and Culture):

ADAM SMITH’S ESSENTIALS: ON TRUST, FAITH, AND FREE MARKETS

ABSTRACT: When trust is shaken, individuals pull back and the market system contracts. Where trust grows, individual energy and creativity are unleashed and the system grows. In Adam Smith’s vision of humankind’s progress, trust is the central theme.

The Great Recession represents a classic case of a crisis of trust. Looking back to the work of Smith offers insight into the role of citizens and the State in creating an fruitful market environment based on trust, and the challenge of this process, given the human frailty of individuals (unfortunately, we are not angels) and the potential for State power to be captured and abused.

Posted at 06:00 PM in Adam Smith, Capitalism, Classical liberalism, History of economic thought, Journals, Markets, Posts by Mark D. White | Permalink | Comments (0)

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