The English classics of the national economy gave economics its generally-accepted scientific foundation: They systematically measured connections of cause and effect and disclosed the interdependencies of economic activity. Confrontation with the English classics provides the reader with the necessary clarity regarding the spirit of the historical background of the Western economic order. Anyone concerned with economic developments and the economic effects of political activity can, and must, study the classics. The work is supplemented by a contribution of Professor Heinz Rieter on patterns of interpretation of classic national economy.