Smith as citizen

How can Smith's writings help us think about today's global challenges?

  • Adam Smith was one of the foremost public intellectuals of his time. He actively participated in the cosmopolitan conversation of the Enlightenment and was passionate about the importance of constructive, inclusive and respectful dialogue as a cornerstone of a successful society.

  • In the spirit of Smith's ethos and public intellectualism, Adam Smith was brought back into public debates at a time when we faced with global challenges in reconciling and balancing virtue, wealth, freedom and responsibility - all key Smithian precepts.

Lectures and discussions

Ryan Griffiths speaking to an audience with Graeme Roy in amongst the crowd

Adam Smith's 'Coarse Clay' Political Realism

Watch this public lecture in which Professor Ryan Griffiths and the Research Group on Constitutional Studies at McGill University in Canada discussed how we can learn from Smith's work today.

Logo of The Hunter Foundation, black text on a background including with a large H on a blue background

Government's Role in Today’s Economy: What Would Adam Smith Say?

Professor Cecilia Rouse challenged common perceptions around Adam Smith’s ideas on the government’s role in the economy in this third and final Hunter Foundation Lecture at the British Embassy in Washington DC, USA.

Gita Gopinath

The power and perils of the "artificial hand": Considering AI through the ideas of Adam Smith

In the opening lecture of Adam Smith 300 Tercentenary Week, Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, spoke on considering artificial intelligence through the ideas of Adam Smith.

Deirdre McCloskey

Adam Smith - The first true liberal

Professor Deirdre McCloskey, Isaiah Berlin Chair in Liberal Thought at the Cato Institute, Washington, and Emerita Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, argued that Adam Smith was the first true liberal.

Angus Deaton

Economic failure or failure of economics?

Professor Sir Angus Deaton, who won the Nobel prize in Economic Science in 2015, spoke on 'Economic failure or failure of economics?' for his Adam Smith 300 Hunter Foundation lecture.

black and white illustration showing Adam Smith in profile

Adam Smith 300 Symposium

Day-long symposium at the University of Glasgow featuring international scholars and practitioners, who brought Smith into conversations with contemporary issues. 

University of West Indies

Adam Smith 300 – Innovation and Sustainable Growth

In this event an expert panel considered drawing lessons from Adam Smith's work on innovation and investment to support sustainable growth.

Four people sitting at a table taking part in a seminar with a screen behind them

The theoretical legacy of Adam Smith

A discussion of the theoretical legacy of Adam Smith and the relevance of his ideas for today's social and economic issues.

Photo of Professor Zhiwu Chen at a podium and a slide behind him with an image of Adam Smith and text. Source: Ghassan Moazzin on Twitter https://twitter.com/GhassanMoazzin/status/1639188298508931073?s=20

Triumph of the Market: What China's past and present tell us

This lecture examined China's patterns of economic growth and analysed the connections to Adam Smith's theories.

Panel of six speakers seated in front of an audience, and conversing with each other

Adam Smith 300 launch event

Our second event in January was the Adam Smith 300 launch. More than 100 people attended to hear leading scholars from the University of Glasgow discuss Smith’s contribution to economics, philosophy and the arts. 

See more about the event

Conversations: Articles, podcasts and events

Photo of lights treaming past the UK Parliament building and Big Ben clock tower with the text 'Resolution Foundation'
Photo of lights treaming past the UK Parliament building and Big Ben clock tower with the text 'Resolution Foundation'

Enlightened economics: Lessons from Adam Smith on the economic challenges facing modern Britain

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:36:00 BST

Jesse Norman MP discusses Adam Smith in this event co-hosted by the Resolution Foundation and the Society of Professional Economists.

Professor Kat Riach speaking at a podium
Professor Kat Riach speaking at a podium

Revenue Scotland conference

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 16:36:00 BST

Adam Smith’s principles of taxation were the focus for Revenue Scotland’s biannual conference.

A white bust of Adam Smith casting a shadow against a black background
A white bust of Adam Smith casting a shadow against a black background

How the work of Adam Smith could help solve the UK skills gap

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 15:53:00 BST

Principal of Glasgow University and economist Anton Muscatelli argues that the answer to the UK's productivity problem was identfied by Adam Smith and is still relevant today: public investment in quality education to close the skills gap and boost equality.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli standing in the Bute hall with three stained glass windows in the background. He's holding a few pieces of paper. Source: External Relations: Charlotte Morris
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli standing in the Bute hall with three stained glass windows in the background. He's holding a few pieces of paper. Source: External Relations: Charlotte Morris

The Story of Smith and the University of Glasgow

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:40:00 BST

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli welcomed guests to the culmination of the University's Tercentenary Week.

Street sign for Hutcheson Street, Merchant City in Glasgow. Source: It Wisnae Us: The Truth About Glasgow and Slavery https://it.wisnae.us/
Street sign for Hutcheson Street, Merchant City in Glasgow. Source: It Wisnae Us: The Truth About Glasgow and Slavery https://it.wisnae.us/

The Wealth of Nations, and 'Adam Smith questions' in Atlantic Slavery Studies

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:39:00 GMT

Continuing research agendas in the fields of Atlantic history and British slavery studies.

Speakers at the Indian Institute of Management Indore together with promotional banners inckuding one saying 'Adam Smith 300 Anniversary'

Launch of the Smith Around the World lecture series

The inaugural lecture focused on knowledge that solves real-world problems - such as income inequality, environmental and sustainability challenges - and fosters entrepreneurship culture.

A orange background with two hands holding the earth around it is multiple different languages all saying

Rethinking Adam Smith

This competition challenged students to redesign the front cover of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations or The Theory of Moral Sentiments. 

An opened book on top of a rock around a forest surrounded by trees blurred out. Source: Unsplash: Aaron Buden link: https://unsplash.com/photos/9zsHNt5OpqE
An opened book on top of a rock around a forest surrounded by trees blurred out. Source: Unsplash: Aaron Buden link: https://unsplash.com/photos/9zsHNt5OpqE

The issues Adam Smith wrote about are still relevant today

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 23:39:00 GMT

For The Herald, Professor Graeme Roy argues that as Adam Smith's ideas were crucial to helping establish the global economy we see today, it is remarkable how little we discuss his work.

Scottish Parliament building facing the front of the building with the pools of water in front. Source: ShutterStock: cornfield Link: https://enterprise.shutterstock.com/image-photo/edinburgh-scotland-may-15-exterior-scottish-260679551
Scottish Parliament building facing the front of the building with the pools of water in front. Source: ShutterStock: cornfield Link: https://enterprise.shutterstock.com/image-photo/edinburgh-scotland-may-15-exterior-scottish-260679551

Scottish Parliament Reception

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 23:39:00 GMT

The Adam Smith Tercentenary celebrations were launched at an event at the Scottish Parliament.

An event with groups of people at round dinner tables with white tablecloths and candles listening to a woman giving a talk. Source: University of Glasgow
An event with groups of people at round dinner tables with white tablecloths and candles listening to a woman giving a talk. Source: University of Glasgow

The Wealth of Nations at Glasgow Talks

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:11:00 BST

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce reflects on the application of Adam Smith's theories today.