In a recent lecture I gave at the Institute for Humane Studies, I examine claims that Smith would today be on the political left. I quote from Amartya Sen, Emma Rothschild, Samuel Fleischacker and others. Touched upon are issues of Smith on progressive taxation, poverty relief, work regulation, schooling, usury, and the third duty of the sovereign:
“The left Smithians have some good points ... but generally speaking, they’re overplaying their hand.”
