Two Lectures on Political Economy: Delivered at Clinton Hall, Before the Mercantile Library Association of the City of New York, on the 23D and 30Th of December, 1831

Two Lectures On Political Economy: Delivered At Clinton Hall, Before The Mercantile Library Association Of The City Of New York, On The 23D And The 30Th Of December, 1831 by William Beach Lawrence. This work presents two lectures that survey the history and development of political economy, tracing its roots from ancient times to modern economic thought. The first lecture, History of Political Economy, examines how theory relates to practice, the rise of mercantilist ideas, and the role of government in regulating trade and industry, emphasizing the need for observation and experience over abstract dogma. The second lecture, The Ricardian Theory, explains exchangeable value, the distinction between natural and market prices, and the factors influencing profits, wages, and rent, including the effects of capital, labor, and land. The lectures also discuss the evolution of economic thought across Europe and America, highlighting free trade as a guiding principle for policy.