|
|
|
|
 a monument to Adam Smith
On the 4th of July 2008, the Adam
Smith Institute unveiled the world's first major public
monument to Adam Smith – the great Scottish economist,
philosopher, and author of The
Wealth of Nations.
The monument, which takes the form of a 10-foot bronze
statue on a massive stone plinth, sits on Edinburgh's
Royal Mile – right in the heart of Scotland's capital
city, where Adam Smith worked and died. The statue was
created by Alexander Stoddart, Scotland's leading monumental
sculptor, and was unveiled by Nobel Laureate Economist
Professor Vernon L. Smith.
The statue's position – in an ancient marketplace –
could hardly be more appropriate. The monument is within
view of the recent statue of Smith’s friend David Hume,
looking downhill to the Canongate (where Smith is lived
and is buried), towards the harbour of Leith (with its
connotations of trade and commerce), and over the sea
to the county of Fife, where Smith was born.
The Statue shows Smith in later life — he spent his
last years in Edinburgh — but still strong. Behind him
is a plough, modelled from a contemporary plough in the
Scottish Farming Museum, reminding us of the agrarian
economics which Smith supplanted. Before him is a beehive,
a symbol of the industry on which he believed progress
was based. On top is a globe on which Smith rests his
hand — made invisible by his academic gown. The gown
itself reminds us of Smith the philosopher, exploring
eternal ideas; and behind, St. Giles’s Cathedral completes
the evocation. From the other side, we see Smith’s 18thC
dress, with the City Chambers beyond, reminding us of
Smith the economist, dealing with practical matters.
His neckware is modelled on that worn by Thomas Jefferson,
his wig is based on one of George Washington’s — recalling
Smith’s strong support for free trade with America.
As Dr Eamonn Butler, the director of the ASI, said:
This honour is long overdue. As
author of The Wealth
of Nations (1776), Adam Smith was the pioneer
of what today we call economics. He championed the
benefits of specialization and free trade, creating
the very idea of the modern market economy that dominates
the free world today.
|
|
Over the last 15 years Adam Smith Conferences have been developing a range of high-calibre industry forums, which attract thousands of key decision makers from governments and industry each year. Many of these events are now established annual gatherings, which offer unrivalled insights into market trends and developments, investment opportunities, and commercial strategies for success. Adam Smith Conferences have provided platforms for debate across many industry sectors including: energy, transport, banking & financial services, consumer goods, real estate, pharmaceuticals, mining & metals, pulp & paper, telecommunications and IT. Our events focus on the markets of western, central and south eastern Europe, however, over the last decade, our experience and extensive contacts have enabled us to create a highly specialised niche in Russia and the CIS. Today we are the market leader for conferences in Russia! The consistent high quality of our events has given rise to a reputation for excellence, ensuring that Adam Smith conferences provide the most fertile ground for participants to gain up-to-the-minute market intelligence and invaluable opportunities to network and generate new business.  About Adam Smith:
Dr. Adam Smith (1723 – 1790) was the celebrated British philosopher and economist best known for "The Wealth of Nations", his pioneering book on free trade and market economics. His ideas laid the foundation for the free market economies of the 21st Century, and although conceived over 300 years ago, Adam Smith’s ideas are as significant and relevant today as ever. |
|
|
The
Adam Smith Institute is Britain's leading innovator
of market economic policies. Since 1977, it has played
a key role in the analysis and development of public
policies and has published over 300 influential policy
reports. It has been part of a worldwide movement towards
free markets and free trade. It encourages discussion
of policy ideas through its websites, conferences, newspapers,
radio and television. The
Institute pioneered privatization both in Britain and
around the world. It helped to develop many of the techniques
which have set the standard for transforming ailing
state operations into successful private businesses.
It was in the vanguard of replacing central planning
and state controls by incentives, market opportunities
and an entrepreneurial culture. The
Institute is independent, non-party and non-partisan,
and maintains good relations with policy makers across
the political divide. It is non-profit and enjoys the
support of a wide range of companies, foundations and
individuals who understand it's role in the policy making
process. Project sponsorship and the income from its
many conferences and publications are equally important. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
About ASI
