Adam Smith s Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, is a seminal work in economics that laid the foundations for classical economics and introduced key concepts such as the division of labor, productivity, and free markets. Smith argued that individuals acting in their self-interest unintentionally contribute to the overall economic well-being of society through the invisible hand of the market. His advocacy for minimal government intervention and the benefits of competition and trade have profoundly influenced economic theory and policy, making Wealth of Nations a cornerstone in the study of economics.