Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations"Wealth" means "well-being"; Smith's book is in fact about material well-being. The Wealth of Nations is an influential statement of the case for laissez-faire , the thesis that government should not attempt to control or direct economic activity. His arguments are in terms of both economic efficiency and justice.
He believes in the division of labor which leads to increased productivity. The best contribution governments can make to the wealth of nations and to the progress of human society is to leave individuals free to follow their natural propensity to make exchanges
