Book contents
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- CONVERSATION I INTRODUCTION
- CONVERSATION II INTRODUCTION—continued
- CONVERSATION III ON PROPERTY
- CONVERSATION IV PROPERTY—continued
- CONVERSATION V ON THE DIVISION OF LABOUR
- CONVERSATION VI ON CAPITAL
- CONVERSATION VII CAPITAL—continued
- CONVERSATION VIII ON WAGES AND POPULATION
- CONVERSATION IX WAGES AND POPULATION—continued
- CONVERSATION X ON THE CONDITION OF THE POOR
- CONVERSATION XI ON REVENUE
- CONVERSATION XII REVENUE FROM LANDED PROPERTY
- CONVERSATION XIII REVENUE FROM THE CULTIVATION OF LAND
- CONVERSATION XIV REVENUE FROM CAPITAL LENT
- CONVERSATION XV ON VALUE AND PRICE
- CONVERSATION XVI ON MONEY
- CONVERSATION XVII MONEY—continued
- CONVERSATION XVIII COMMERCE
- CONVERSATION XIX ON FOREIGN TRADE
- CONVERSATION XX FOREIGN TRADE—cont.
- CONVERSATION XXI ON EXPENDITURE
- INDEX
CONVERSATION II - INTRODUCTION—continued
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 September 2011
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- CONVERSATION I INTRODUCTION
- CONVERSATION II INTRODUCTION—continued
- CONVERSATION III ON PROPERTY
- CONVERSATION IV PROPERTY—continued
- CONVERSATION V ON THE DIVISION OF LABOUR
- CONVERSATION VI ON CAPITAL
- CONVERSATION VII CAPITAL—continued
- CONVERSATION VIII ON WAGES AND POPULATION
- CONVERSATION IX WAGES AND POPULATION—continued
- CONVERSATION X ON THE CONDITION OF THE POOR
- CONVERSATION XI ON REVENUE
- CONVERSATION XII REVENUE FROM LANDED PROPERTY
- CONVERSATION XIII REVENUE FROM THE CULTIVATION OF LAND
- CONVERSATION XIV REVENUE FROM CAPITAL LENT
- CONVERSATION XV ON VALUE AND PRICE
- CONVERSATION XVI ON MONEY
- CONVERSATION XVII MONEY—continued
- CONVERSATION XVIII COMMERCE
- CONVERSATION XIX ON FOREIGN TRADE
- CONVERSATION XX FOREIGN TRADE—cont.
- CONVERSATION XXI ON EXPENDITURE
- INDEX
Summary
CAROLINE
I HAVE been thinking a great deal of political economy since yesterday, my dear Mrs. B., but I fear not to much purpose; at least I am no farther advanced than the discovery of a great confusion of ideas which prevails in my mind on the subject. That science seems to comprehend every thing, and yet I own, that I am still at a loss to understand what it is. Cannot you give me a short explanation of the nature of the science, that I may have some clear idea of it to begin with?
MRS. B
I once heard a lady ask a philosopher to tell her in a few words what is meant by political economy. Madam, replied he, you understand perfectly what is meant by household economy; you need only extend your idea of the economy of a family to that of a whole people—of a nation, and you will have some comprehension of the nature of political economy.
CAROLINE
Considering that he was limited to a few words, do you not think that he acquitted himself extremely well? But as I have a little more patience than this lady, I hope you will indulge me with a more detailed explanation of this universal science.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Conversations on Political EconomyIn Which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained, pp. 17 - 28Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2010First published in: 1816