Adam Smith, comercio libre y la revolución de 1810 / Adam Smith, free trade and the revolution of 1810

Adam Smith pudo haber influido en el proceso que se iniciara en Buenos Aires en 1810 de no haber primado la ignorancia, la pereza intelectual y la imprudencia. Frecuentemente “citada”, raramente leida, y menos estudiada, La riqueza de las naciones ha engendrado “interpretaciones” peligrosas. El “comercio libre” fue una de ellas. Aunque el autor lo considerara un ideal irrealizable, politicos y empresarios no tardaron en descubrir las ventajas que podian obtenerse del uso inescrupuloso del concepto. Imprudente fue aceptar cantos de sirena sin escrutinio; como lo fue el error de ignorar el analisis de las circunstancias locales e internacionales. Un examen realista de ambas y de la teoria del desarrollo de Adam Smith, hubiera concluido que el regimen economico del Virreinato no era perfecto pero tampoco ilogico y bien pudo esclarecer la necesidad de abordar su reforma con cauto realismo. Lamentablemente no fue asi. El mejor consejero del estadista, que debio ser libro de cabecera de los que pretendian serlo, paso desapercibido. Adam Smith could have influenced the process initiated in Buenos Aires in 1810 if ignorance, imprudence, and intellectual laziness would not have prevailed. Frequently invoked, rarely read, and even less studied, The Wealth of Nations has generated dangerous interpretations. “Free Trade” was one of them. Although Adam Smith considered “Free Trade” an inapplicable idea, politicians and businessmen wasted no time in discovering the advantages which could be obtained through the unscrupulous use of this concept. It was unwise to bow to the songs of mermaids without consideration; just as it was an error to ignore the analysis of the local and international circumstances. A careful evaluation of these factors, as well as of the theory of development presented by Adam Smith, would have concluded that the Viceroyalty’s economic regime was not perfect; but far from illogical. It would also have made clear the need to attempt its reform with prudence and realism. Unfortunately it was not so. The best adviser to the statesman, whose work should have been a bed-side book to those who pretended to be so, went unnoticed.