Nierówności dochodowe w ujęciu Adama Smitha

Abstract

Income inequalities have accompanied societies for centuries, and today, despite the growing standard of living, they are deepening. The aim of this article is to present the position of the father of classical English economics, Adam Smith, on income inequality and to draw attention to looking for causes and justifying income differences. He noticed the growing gap between the richer entrepreneurs and landowners and wage labourers, although in the second half of the 18th century it was not yet the largest. It is often believed that the classics, being liberals, did not pay much attention to income inequality and did not pay it due attention. The article attempts to verify the hypothesis formulated in this way, although it is limited only to Smith's position, however, it must be remembered that it was he who set the direction of research for his successors. This issue not only occupied the minds of great classics, but also prompted the search for its source and the possibility of mitigation, as well as its justification. The article uses the source analysis method, the comparative method as well as a simple description method.(original abstract)