Economic Freedom in the Early American Tradition

Three days ago I had the honor of delivering the Founders Lecture in Pittsburgh sponsored by the Center for Vision and Values. My topic was "Economic Freedom and the Early American Republic." I gave the audience a whirlwind tour of the variety of economic ideas that were current in the minds of the founders. I highlighted the distinction between the mercantilism of James Steuart and the political economy of Adam Smith. I also cited the ethics of property affirmed by Samuel Willard and John Witherspoon, the economic analysis of American Pelatiah Webster and the importance of the early French Liberal school. Stay tuned for a video link to the lecutre.