Leading on appropriately from the view of Jean Jacques Rosseau we see the opinions of Jonathan Swift and Adam Smith on government politics and the economy. Although both writings are very different in style and genre, the message of both writers is clear; that the economy is changing and includes many dependents, without whom, the market would exist. Smith focuses on the technical side of the market, considering only what could be called sectors of the market whereas Swift, in his satirical manner prefers to concentrate on individuals, or perhaps only to look at the sectors in a more familiar view.

In seminar, there was a clear divide on those who preferred each style of writing. My own preference was that of Swift because he was indeed very quick on capturing and maintaining the attention of the audience. However, some fellow students were not so enthusiastic on this abrupt and frank tone suggesting that the people in Swift’s time who would have been educated to read this piece may not have taken him seriously enough, which is a fair argument.

Swift was very satirical in his writing, indeed he was the first successful satirist of the times. It is understandable to follow the opinion that his writing may not have been viewed as an educated opinion because it was a very seemingly relaxed way of writing, one which today would capture the attention of a working class man rather than a education politician, however in the times of Swift, the working class population were not even educated to read, so it would make no sense for Swift to have directed his writing at such individuals.

Personally, I hold a differing opinion that possibly his writing style was very effective and created enough attention to prove very influential, and our studying it today would suggest this further.

This argument constructed a majority of the lecture and the effectiveness was clear to all, as Smith was mentioned as a more theoretical and, for want of a better word, boring. It was suggested that while Swift was shocking and satirical, his effect was more likely to cause influence quickly, whereas Smith was simply another writer, voicing his opinion in the somewhat monotone style that every influential eye was used to and perhaps bored of.