The Wealth of Nations – Adam Smith

Originally published in 1776, this foundational text of modern economics introduced concepts like the "invisible hand" and the division of labor. Smith argues that when individuals pursue their own self-interest in a free market, they inadvertently promote the prosperity of society as a whole. The book remains a seminal defense of free-market capitalism, providing a deep historical and philosophical analysis of how nations build and sustain wealth through trade and productivity.