The Origin of the Distinction of Ranks: Or, an Inquiry Into the Circumstances Which Give Rise to Influence and Authority, in the Different Members of

Focusing on the evolution of authority within society, the book offers a progressive analysis influenced by the Scottish Enlightenment's key figures. It examines how changes in subsistence, agriculture, and manufacturing reshape social hierarchies. Drawing from Adam Smith's four-stages theory and traditional natural law, the author argues that as economic conditions improve, authority becomes less oppressive and more diversified. This work stands out as a significant contribution to the understanding of social structure and the dynamics of power in relation to economic progress.