Differences in how opulence has developed across ages and nations have produced two main systems of political economy concerning how to enrich the people: the commercial (system of commerce) and the agricultural system, and Smith will first examine the modern and locally familiar system of commerce.

By Adam Smith, from La Richesse des nations

Key Arguments

  • Smith links intellectual systems to historical experience: 'The different progress of opulence in different ages and nations, has given occasion to two different systems of political economy, with regard to enriching the people,' suggesting doctrines arise from observed patterns of wealth development.
  • He classifies these as 'The one may be called the system of commerce, the other that of agriculture,' establishing a basic typology of economic doctrines that he will analyze and, elsewhere, critique.
  • He announces his methodological plan: 'I shall endeavour to explain both as fully and distinctly as I can,' signaling a systematic comparative treatment rather than a single‑sided advocacy.
  • He chooses to 'begin with the system of commerce' because 'It is the modern system, and is best understood in our own country and in our own times,' indicating both its contemporary dominance and the empirical accessibility that recommends starting with it.

Source Quotes

It proposes to enrich both the people and the sovereign. The different progress of opulence in different ages and nations, has given occasion to two different systems of political economy, with regard to enriching the people. The one may be called the system of commerce, the other that of agriculture.
The different progress of opulence in different ages and nations, has given occasion to two different systems of political economy, with regard to enriching the people. The one may be called the system of commerce, the other that of agriculture. I shall endeavour to explain both as fully and distinctly as I can, and shall begin with the system of commerce.
The one may be called the system of commerce, the other that of agriculture. I shall endeavour to explain both as fully and distinctly as I can, and shall begin with the system of commerce. It is the modern system, and is best understood in our own country and in our own times.
I shall endeavour to explain both as fully and distinctly as I can, and shall begin with the system of commerce. It is the modern system, and is best understood in our own country and in our own times. CHAPTER I.

Key Concepts

  • The different progress of opulence in different ages and nations, has given occasion to two different systems of political economy, with regard to enriching the people.
  • The one may be called the system of commerce, the other that of agriculture.
  • I shall endeavour to explain both as fully and distinctly as I can, and shall begin with the system of commerce.
  • It is the modern system, and is best understood in our own country and in our own times.

Context

Immediately after defining the aims of political economy at the start of Book IV, Smith introduces his core classification of economic systems—commercial and agricultural—and signals that he will first treat the modern 'system of commerce' that underlies contemporary mercantile doctrines.