Who's Afraid of Adam Smith

"Peter Dougherty does the near--impossible in this brilliant book ...[he] makes economics engaging and accessible." ----Professor Larry J. Sabato, University of Virginia In this spirited and timely book, Peter Dougherty shows how economists are drawing on Adam Smitha s civic writings to illuminate how the market creates not only fiscal capital, but "social capital." Dougherty demonstrates how Smitha s ideas are currently experiencing a renaissance. He then explores several impressive initiatives to demonstrate what todaya s theoretical and practicing economists are accomplishing in the spirit of Adam Smitha s moral sentiments: the institutional reform of transitional and developing economies; the financing of new technological, medical, and educational initiatives; and the economic revival of cities. Capitalism pervades every aspect of our daily life. Peter Dougherty now offers a fascinating peek at its hidden soul.