Paul Atkins Misreads Adam Smith and the American Founding

Paul Atkins argued that the Declaration of Independence and Adam Smith’s *Wealth of Nations* share a “trust the individual, not the institution” theme, citing Jefferson’s later copy of Smith’s book despite Jefferson’s claim that the Declaration drew on classical philosophers. The article notes founders’ warnings against governmental and corporate power concentrations, referencing Madison’s Federalist No. 10 and Jefferson’s 1816 statement on monied corporations, and observes that Atkins’ deregulatory crypto agenda coincides with the SEC’s pattern of dismissing or settling most enforcement actions, many involving politically connected firms.