The Wealth of Nations — Adam Smith (1776)

Adam Smith’s *The Wealth of Nations*, published in two volumes on March 9, 1776, serves as the seminal text of modern economics. It posits that free market exchange, guided by the "invisible hand" of price signals, allocates resources more efficiently than central planning. Smith's work systematically analyzed the division of labor, the nature of money, and the principles of free trade, providing the ideological framework for capitalism. The book remains highly influential, with over 40,000 academic references since 2000. Its enduring relevance is underscored by its continued citation and the ongoing debates surrounding its core arguments regarding trade, incentives, and the role of the state.