Land, Commerce, and Politics: Smith’s Response to Rousseau

In the Second Discourse , Jean-Jacques Rousseau provides an account of the origin and consequences of landed properties. The narrative blends theoretical speculation with normative critique and serves as a starting point for Rousseau’s political and economic programs. Adam Smith responds to Rousseau in two ways. First, Smith’s corresponding discourse highlights the role of economic productivity and downplays the special role of the rich. Furthermore, by distinguishing between natural logic and moral sentiments, Smith shows greater support for the existing landed property regimes than Rousseau does. Second, Smith historicizes Rousseau’s propositions. By comparing ancient and modern times and analyzing the emergence and decline of feudalism, Smith identifies forces within European history that could mitigate the negative consequences of land-based politics. While Rousseau believes commerce merely exacerbated the consequences of land inequality, meaning the beginning of history determined historical process, Smith asserts that commerce greatly changed history, enabling modern politics and economy to progress differently.