Premium Only Content

The Wealth of Nations Book 5 Chapter 2 Part 1 - Exploring Public Revenue Sources
Get the original book: https://amzn.to/3W5xeku
Learn about The Wealth of Nations on our website: https://easyeconomics.net/video-series-economics-books/the-wealth-of-nations/
Watch our video series about The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith:
https://rumble.com/playlists/bDlhDvvVL8Q
Watch our video’s about other economics books: https://rumble.com/playlists/dJGTX0xbi6E
Watch the next video in this series:
Where do governments get their money from? In this video, we explore the sources of public revenue that fund government expenses like defense and administration. Historically, governments have relied on two main sources of income: state-owned assets and taxes. We’ll look at examples of governments earning money from trade, banking, and lending — from Venice’s public bank to Hamburg’s public wine cellar. While some state-run businesses, like the post office, have been successful, many others have failed due to mismanagement and inefficiency — as seen with the East India Company. We'll also cover the historical importance of land rents in ancient Greece, Rome, and medieval Europe and why modern governments have shifted toward taxes as their primary source of income. Finally, we'll discuss why selling public land could increase long-term revenue and encourage better private management. Find out why taxes have become the backbone of government funding and why relying on state-owned assets may not be the solution governments hope for.
Questions answered in the video:
What are the two main sources of public revenue?
How have governments historically generated revenue from state assets?
Why did public banks succeed in Venice and Amsterdam but fail elsewhere?
Why is the post office one of the few successful state-run businesses?
How did medieval European monarchs fund their governments?
Why are land rents less important in modern economies?
What are the risks of relying on government-owned stock and land for revenue?
How could selling public land improve government finances?
Why have modern governments turned to taxes as their main revenue source?
How do state-owned businesses lead to mismanagement and waste?
00:00 - Introduction to the Video about the revenue that funds the Government
00:24 - Income from State Assets
00:53 - Examples of Public Revenue
01:17 - State-Run Businesses
01:48 - How Governments make Revenue
02:25 - Pennsylvania’s Paper Money
02:47 - Ancient Greece and Rome and Monarchs' Income
03:06 - Modern Reliance on Taxes VS Selling Public Land
03:44 - Productive Land and Taxes
04:14 - Outro
#PublicRevenue #EconomicHistory #GovernmentFinance
-
12:46
RTT: Guns & Gear
5 hours agoThis Might Be the Best .45 Cal Suppressor: Anechoic Suppressors AnechoX 45L
45 -
LIVE
Matt Kohrs
10 hours agoLive Day Trading: Ripping Higher || Stock Market Open
622 watching -
LIVE
Wendy Bell Radio
5 hours agoWorse Than Watergate
7,832 watching -
LIVE
Barry Cunningham
1 hour agoMUST SEE LIVE: PAM BONDI SENATE HEARING!
1,249 watching -
LIVE
LFA TV
11 hours agoLIVE & BREAKING NEWS! | TUESDAY 10/7/25
2,696 watching -
1:01:26
Chad Prather
13 hours agoTake Away the Stone: When Faith Meets the Impossible
24.7K18 -
24:26
Tucker Carlson
15 hours agoThe 9/11 Files: They Could Have Stopped It | Ep 3
62.9K51 -
1:56:47
The Chris Salcedo Show
12 hours ago $2.61 earnedIt's Time Justice Was Served
13K3 -
DVR
Welcome to the Rebellion Podcast
12 hours ago $1.02 earnedWelcome to the Rebellion Podcast Live 10/7
13.3K -
19:37
Chris From The 740
13 hours ago $0.54 earnedIs the Aimwin PE320 Red Dot Sight the BEST OPTION for Your Pistol?
11.9K