The Capitalist Reader

This is a collection of the most fundamental and concise texts dealing with capitalist theory and practice. It begins with the first formulations of the theory, as set forth by Adam Smith in his famous Wealth of Nations, and proceeds to consider the most recent exponents of that theory, such as Ayn Rand and Ludwig von Mises. This work is intended for anyone seeking a fuller understanding of the basic ideas underlying contemporary free market capitalism.

Lawrence S. Stepelevich is professor emeritus of philosophy at Villanova University. He is a former president of the Hegel Society of America and was the executive editor from 1977 to 1996 of their journal, The Owl of Minerva. He is particularly interested in the study of one of Hegel's first students the radical individualist, Max Stirner.