In this paper we aim to address the problem that interpret as guiding Adam Smith´s work: question of historical viability modern society. To end, seek argue: 1) both The Theory Moral Sentiments and Wealth Nations show full deployment trade is necessary problematic, even seriously dangerous, foundation new society; 2) works discuss, from complementary angles, in what sense under conditions socie...

Resenhas de Paul Sagar. Adam Smith Reconsidered. History, Liberty, and the Foundations of Modern Politics. Princeton University Press, 2022, por Thiago Vargas (USP-FAPESP) e Antoine Lilti. L’héritage des Lumières. Ambivalences la modernité. Seuil ; Gallimard, 2019, Ciro Lourenço (USP-Paris 1)

Coase (1937) was one of the first scholars who asked why firms exist and what precisely a firm was. Both questions are fundamental to understand corporate governance. Before the 1930s the firm was often seen as a “black box” which was assumed to behave like any other self-interested utility maximizing economic actor. Although Adam Smith already cited the problems like the separation of ownershi...