On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation provides analysis of the allocation of money between capitalists, landowners, and agricultural workers in Britain. Through this analysis, Ricardo came to advocate free trade and oppose Britain’s restrictive “Corn laws.” Here are his classic commentaries on certain points of contention and divergence with the political economic writings of Adam Smith and T. R. Malthus.
This archive of correspondence, speeches, pamphlets, and economic works was edited by Piero Sraffa and published in hardcover by Cambridge U. Press between 1951-1973, for the Royal Economic Society. Now in an affordable paperbound edition, the 11-volume set begins with two lengthy economic studies: On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, published in three editions in 1817, 1819, and 1821 (a concordance of the editions is included), with a lengthy introduction by Sraffa: and Notes on Malthus's Principles of Political Economy, also with an introduction by Sraffa. Four of the volumes contain Ricardo's correspondence, both personal and professional, dating from 1810-1823. Sraffa has annotated the entire collection and provides various supporting tables and other material. Some facsimiles of the publications and correspondence are included.
Reference & Research Book News
August 2005