Adam Smith's Timeless Vision: Markets, Human Agency, and the Limits of Planning

As the world marks the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's foundational work, his insights into how self-interest drives societal progress remain strikingly relevant. From the invisible hand's spontaneous coordination to his prescient critique of top-down social engineering, Smith's lessons challenge modern policymakers' faith in centralized planning—revealing why respect for human autonomy and market mechanisms remain essential to prosperity.