Adam Smith vs. ObL

[Michael Perelman <michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wealth of Nations V.i.a.44, p. 708: "In modern war the great expence of
fire-arms gives an evident advantage to the nation which can best afford
that expence; and consequently, to an opulent and civilized, over a poor
and barbarous nation.  In ancient times the opulent and civilized found
it difficult to defend themselves against the poor and
barbarous nations.  In modern times the poor and barbarous find it
difficult to defend themselves against the opulent and civilized.
The invention of fire-arms, an invention which at first sight
appears to be so pernicious, is certainly favourable both to the
permanency and to the extension of civilization."


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Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
michael@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Chico, CA 95929
530-898-5321
fax 530-898-5901