Adam Smith's 1759 Rebuke of the Slave Trade

10 Pages Posted: 20 Feb 2019 Last revised: 19 Aug 2019

See all articles by Daniel B. Klein

Daniel B. Klein

George Mason University - Department of Economics; George Mason University - Mercatus Center

Date Written: February 19, 2019

Abstract

Smith’s two-sentence rebuke of the slave trade was quoted in full four times in early anti-slavery literature. It helps us make sense of Part V of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and understand Smith’s posture toward slavery. Also, it might inform our understanding of the relationship between Smith’s two great works.

Keywords: slavery, slave trade, Adam Smith, Thomas Clarkson, abolitionism, William Wilberforce

JEL Classification: B12; N3

Suggested Citation

Klein, Daniel B., Adam Smith's 1759 Rebuke of the Slave Trade (February 19, 2019). GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 19-06 The Indepdendent Review, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3337961 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3337961

Daniel B. Klein (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://economics.gmu.edu/people/dklein

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

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