ALL ABOUT ADAM SMITH Father of Capitalism
What book did he write? Inquiry into the Nature & Causes of the Wealth of Nations (a.k.a…The Wealth of Nations
What were his ideas on trade? -pro free trade -against mercantilism
What were his ideas on self- Interest? -Invisible hand guides economy -Each individual maximizes his own benefit
What were his ideas on Government? -limited involvement in economic affairs -protect against monopolies -provide public services
What were his ideas on labor Productivity? -specialization
Who/What did his ideas Influence? -Founding fathers of U.S. -British trade policy in 18 th century
What are the strengths of his Ideas? -Competition leads to efficiency
What are the weaknesses of His ideas? -abuses developed during the Industrial Revolution -exploitation of workers
ALL ABOUT KARL MARX Communism
What books did he write? -Communist Manifesto -Das Kapital (economic theories)
Proletariat: -poor working class Bourgeoisie: - Wealthy factory owners - capitalists
What problems did Marx Believe capitalism caused? -oppression to workers -workers exploited & wages kept Low by greedy factory owners
What did Marx believe about Class in society? -Class struggle exists -Class is determined by ownership of property -rich get rich & poor get poorer -wanted classless society – all equal
What stages must society go Through to reach the ideal state Of Communism? -greater suffering for workers & More wealth for capitalists -lead to violent revolution & workers Would win
-need authoritarian gov’t at first, Then classless society would form & no gov’t would be needed
Who/What did his ideas Influence? -Lenin & Stalin -Russian Revolution (1917) -Chinese Communist Revolution (1949)
What are the strengths of his Ideas? -workers would be valued more
What are the weaknesses of his Ideas? -Wages were increased over years, not lowered -Communism never worked in practice – still led to corruption & oppression