816 B
816 B
Balance of Produce and Consumption
Definition
The relationship between a nation's annual production of goods and services and its annual consumption of those goods and services, which determines whether national capital is increasing (when production exceeds consumption) or decreasing (when consumption exceeds production).
Source Chapter
Book IV, Chapter 3
Context
Smith distinguishes this from the balance of trade, arguing that a nation can have a favourable balance of production and consumption while simultaneously running trade deficits for extended periods, as capital accumulation continues despite negative trade balances.
Economic Domain
General Theory