An Inquiry into the Principles of Political Oeconomy (Vol. 1 of 2) Being an essay on the science of domestic policy in free nations. In which are particularly considered population, agriculture, trade, industry, money, coin, interest, circulation, banks, exchange, public credit, and taxes

An ambitious effort to turn the tangled affairs of national policy into a coherent science, this classic surveys the forces that shape prosperous societies—population, agriculture, trade, industry, and the intricate mechanisms of money, banking and taxation. Drawing on years of travel and observation, the author weaves together a wide reading of earlier thinkers while insisting on a balanced, non‑partisan perspective.

The work is organized with careful footnotes and marginal comments that illuminate the author’s reasoning without obscuring the main argument. Readers are guided through comparative examples from several European nations, seeing how each country’s customs and institutions influence economic outcomes. The tone remains modest, acknowledging the difficulty of capturing such a vast subject within the limits of a single volume.

For anyone curious about the roots of modern economic thought, the book offers a window into eighteenth‑century debates on how governments can promote stability and growth. Its systematic approach makes it a useful reference for students of history, policy and the early development of political economy.