Robert Heilbroner

The Worldly Philosophers

1. IDEA 1

   Economists shaped the modern world

   Heilbroner tells the story of the great economic thinkers he calls worldly philosophers. He argues that their ideas changed how people understand society and shaped history. He makes them come alive as people.

2. IDEA 2

   Smith saw order in markets

   Heilbroner describes Adam Smith's vision of a market society where self-interest and competition create order and wealth. Smith saw economic life as a system with its own logic. His optimism set the tone.

3. IDEA 3

   Malthus and Ricardo were gloomy

   Heilbroner describes Thomas Malthus, who feared that population would outgrow food supply, and David Ricardo, who analysed conflicts between landlords, workers and capitalists. Their pessimism gave economics its gloomy reputation.

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