Wednesday next week, the 19^th of April, will be the bicentenary of the publication of the hugely influential Principles of Political Economy and Taxation by the English classical economist and stockbroker David Ricardo (1772-1823). It was a book that revolutionised the world’s understanding of the benefits of trade. Since then, it has provided the intellectual support for the liberalisation of trade and reductions in tariffs worldwide. It is a book that is still relevant in a world that is debating once more the merits of free trade, as seen in the 2016 US election campaign, for example.

The Economic Society of Australia (Qld), of which I’m the Secretary, will be celebrating the bicentenary with a function in the Manhattan room at the GPO Hotel, Fortitude Valley from 6pm on Wednesday 19 April. From the ESA (Qld) website:

Published April 19th 1817, David Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage underpins economic analysis of the merits of free trade, and has been influential in the push for free trade worldwide.

Ricardo’s work is a timely reminder of the power of economic thought for the betterment of humanity.

Professor Pascalis Raimondos, Head of Economic and Finance School at QUT, will share a presentation on the current state of Globalisation and the impact Ricardo’s work has had on the modern economic environment.

Further details are available on the ESA (Qld) website:

Bicentennial Celebration for Ricardo’s On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation – Speaker: Pascalis Raimondos

Portrait of David Ricardo by Thomas Phillips, National Portrait Gallery