Definitions in Political Economy, / Preceded by an Inquiry Into the Rules which Ought to Guide Political Economists in the Definition and Use of Their Terms; with Remarks on the Deviation from These Rules in Their Writings

by T. R. Malthus

[1]. It may seem strange to the reader, but it is nevertheless true, that the meanings of all these terms, which had been settled long ago, and in my opinion with a great approach towards correctness, by Adam Smith, have of late been called in question, and altered.

[2]. Wealth of Nations, b. ii. c. iii. p. i. vol. ii. 6th ed.

[3]. Traité d’ Economie Politique, liv. i. c. i. pp. 2, 4, 4th ed.

[4]. Wealth of Nations, b. i. c. v. p. 43. 6th edit.

[5]. Polit. Econ. c. xx. p. 320. 3rd Edit.

[6]. Polit. Econ. c. xx. p. 326. 3rd edit.—It may be remarked, by the way, that Mr. Ricardo here uses labour as a measure of value in the sense in which I think it ought always to be used, and not according to his own theory. He measures the exchangeable value of the plate and velvet, not by the quantity of labour worked up in them, but by the quantity they will command or employ.

[7]. Polit. Econ. c. i. sec. iii. pp. 16, 18, 3rd edit.

[8]. Polit. Econ. c. vii. p. 137, 3rd edit.

[9]. Id. p. 152.

[10]. Polit. Econ. c. v. p. 98, 3rd edit.