This is a list of important publications in economics, organized by field. Some reasons why a particular publication might be regarded as important: Topic creator – A publication that created a new topic Breakthrough – A publication that changed scientific knowledge significantly Influence – A publication which has significantly influenced the world or has had a massive impact on the teaching of economics. Political economy and economics The Wealth of Nations Adam Smith An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, 1776. Read it on Wikisource Description: The book is usually considered to be the beginning of modern economics. It begins with a discussion of the Industrial Revolution. Later it critiques the mercantilism and a synthesis of the emerging economic thinking of his time. It is best known for the idea of the invisible hand, although this idea is only mentioned once in the book. Smith was critical of the "vile maxim" of the "masters of mankind", all for themselves and nothing for other people. The Butcher, the Baker, and the Brewer provide goods and services to each other out of self-interest; the unplanned result of this division of labor is a better standard of living for all three. Importance: Topic creator, Breakthrough, Influence, Introduction Principles of Political Economy and Taxation David Ricardo On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, 1817. Description: Elaborates, clarifies and corrects previous theories, and adds important new concepts Importance: Breakthrough, influence (esp on Marx), broadened scientific foundations of economics Das Kapital Karl Marx Das Kapital, 1867 Das Kapital on Wikisource Annotations, Explanations and Clarifications to Capital. Description: A political-economic treatise by Karl Marx. Marx wrote this critical analysis of capitalism and of the political economy from the perspective of historical materialism, the view that history can be understood as a sequence of modes of production in which exploiting classes extract an economic surplus from exploited classes. Importance: Breakthrough, Influence Progress and Poverty Henry George Progress and Poverty, 1879. Progress and Poverty on Wikisource Description: Describes how poverty in the midst of plenty results from unequal rights to use natural resources, and declining wages in the face of increasing labor productivity results from the Law of Rent. Advocated Georgism, specifically a land value tax. Importance: Influence, Breakthrough... Principles of Economics (Menger) Carl Menger, 1871. Principles of Economics, trans. from German, 1981. Link to German version Influence: Credited with co-founding of marginal