USING FREE MARKETS

TO CREATE A RICHER, FREER,

BETTER BRITAIN.

Media Enquiries (24hr): 07584778207

CELEBRATING THE

250TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE

WEALTH OF NATIONS

Illuminated globe showing Africa, Middle East, and parts of Europe and Asia

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s landmark book The Wealth of Nations.

1776 was very different from 2026. And yet, by showing how the freedom and security to work, trade, save and invest promote our prosperity, without the need for a directing authority, The Wealth of Nations still leaves us with a powerful set of solutions to the worst economic problems the world can throw at us.

The free economy is an adaptable and flexible system, which can withstand the shock of the new, and cope with whatever the future brings.

Marking the occasion is not just core to our beliefs, it is also very close to our hearts.

Our project aims to seize the momentum around this anniversary to bring Smith’s ideas and The Wealth of Nations to a new generation:

✍︎ Host high-profile speaker events to honour the anniversary

✍︎ A Festschrift bringing together new essays on Smith's ideas

✍︎ An academic conference on Smith's ideas and their application in the world today

✍︎ A comic adapting Smith's ideas for young readers

Consider donating to support the promotion of The Wealth of Nations!



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Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence .... but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice
— Adam Smith

Central to our mission is our belief that free markets work best for the poor.

No system has raised people out of poverty and given them the freedom to live their lives as they wish like free markets have.

In politics today it is usually the poorest people who bear the brunt of the government's worst policies in areas like education, health and welfare.

Our mission is to use free markets to create a richer, freer, better Britain.

We Work For

Abundance

  • A planning system that delivers the homes we need.

  • Powering prosperity through plentiful energy and seamless transport.

  • A business environment that encourages ambition, from Artificial Intelligence to aerospace.

Freedom

  • ⁠The right to speak, associate and believe freely.

  • The freedom to be an individual and live your life how you choose.

  • Securing digital sovereignty and ironclad privacy for our connected world.

Responsibility

  • A small efficient state, funded by lower, flatter taxes.

  • Public services focused on outcomes not ideology.

  • A balanced budget that is fair on future generations.

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The Growth Agenda

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Adam Smith Institute

23 Great Smith Street, London

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