Smith again

[michael at ecst.csuchico.edu]

My reading of Smith differs from the rest of you.  The only consistent
element of Smith's work is his desire to have everybody conform to the way of life that he
prefers: the self-made artisan.  His is disdainful of workers.  High wages are useful only in
that they help to tame the 
masses.  He contemptuous of successful business people, small farmers,
workers and just 
about everybody except the type of petty bourgeoise of which he approves.

You can find quotations that sound harsher about capitalists than what you
read in Marx, but 
Smith did not have love for the workers.
-- 
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu