An Inquiry into the Principles of Political Oeconomy

The Scottish political economist Sir James Steuart (1713-1780) completed the first two books of the Principles while living in Tubingen in 1759. One of the most important features of Steuart's career was his extensive knowledge of the Continent. The Foreign Tour (1735-40) and exile as a result of his association with the Jacobites (1745-63) meant that by the end of the Seven Years' War, Sir James had spent almost half of his life abroad; facts which help to explain the Eurocentric nature of his work.