Nature in the History of Economic Thought

'Clearly written and carefully organized, this book restores the subject of nature to the history of economics. It demonstrates in rich detail that economists may not have given much weight to nature as an independent source of wealth, but from the Greeks to the modern era they have been profoundly important in shaping our use of the natural world.' Donald Worster, University of Kansas, USA Author of Shrinking the Earth: The Rise and Decline of American Abundance 'Clearly written and carefully organized, this book restores the subject of nature to the history of economics. It demonstrates in rich detail that economists may not have given much weight to nature as an independent source of wealth, but from the Greeks to the modern era they have been profoundly important in shaping our use of the natural world.' Donald Worster, University of Kansas, USA Author of Shrinking the Earth: The Rise and Decline of American Abundance 'Wolloch provides a clear and judicious account of the role of land in the thinking of some of the leading classical and Enlightenment economic writers, and demonstrates clearly that their major preoccupation was under-, not over-exploitation of that resource.' Paul Warde, University of Cambridge, UK '...this study constitutes a considerable achievement. It is well researched, well organized, and, through Wolloch's eschewing the historiographically easy -or perhaps easier -option of focusing on change, makes an important contribution to debates about the development of economic theory over the longue duree.' Ben Dew, Journal of British Studies, UK