Classical Economics

Yan Zhijie's Classical Economics is not a general survey or popular introduction but a specialized study of profound scholarly penetration. The book focuses on the intellectual core and logical system of classical economics, with particular attention to the evolution, achievements, and inherent theoretical dilemmas of the central line from Adam Smith and David Ricardo to John Stuart Mill. Drawing on a deep command of the history of economic thought, the author does not settle for simple paraphrase of classic works or biographical introduction but goes into the very site of theoretical construction, clearly tracing how core propositions such as the labor theory of value, distribution theory, and capital accumulation were proposed, debated, and refined, and how they met challenges amid changing times and the contradictions within the theories themselves. For readers who wish to go beyond textbook conclusions and truly understand how economics as a science thought about fundamental questions in its classical period, this book offers rare depth and clarity. It not only helps readers build a solid coordinate system in intellectual history but also inspires reflection on the origins and limitations of modern economic theory. The Commercial Press edition ensures textual rigor and authority, making it suitable as a desk reference for in-depth study.