First published in 1776, Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" is much more than a handbook on the principles of free-market economies; it is a founding text for the organization of Western society in its broadest sense. In order to understand the impact of Smith's "Wealth of Nations" across the academic disciplines, this volume brings together scholars from the fields of economics, politics, history, sociology and literature. Each essay offers a different reading of "Wealth of Nations" and its legacy. Contributors consider the historical context in which the "Wealth of Nations" was written, its reception and its profound impact on contemporary concepts of market liberalism, on education, on gender relations and on environmental debates. The volume also offers deconstructive analyses of the text and a feminist critique of Smith's construction of the economy.