875 B
875 B
Artificer Planter Transition
Definition
The economic migration pattern where skilled craftsmen in colonies abandon their trades to become agricultural producers when they acquire sufficient capital, preferring the independence of land ownership over the dependent status of serving customers. This transition reflects the strong natural preference for agricultural independence when economic conditions permit.
Source Chapter
Book III, Chapter 1
Context
Smith presents this colonial phenomenon as evidence of the natural human preference for agricultural independence, explaining why manufacturing for distant sale develops slowly in new territories despite the availability of skilled labor.
Economic Domain
General Theory