Passage Discussion

[ganbayou]

Just wondering...why they could represent the idea of increasing returns using numbers?
Also, both ideas are from Adam Smith right?

[maryadkins]

Here is the passage map I would create for this:

P1: Introduces conflict: the PF versus the IH.

P2: Describes both PF and IH. PF is efficiency increasing through size. IH is what is said to guide this.

P3: Elaboration on how they conflict.

P4: Historical examination: why one (IH) has been emphasized over the other (PF)

P5: Recent turn in the tide. Economists since the 1970s can describe PF more effectively.

Just wondering...why they could represent the idea of increasing returns using numbers?
Also, both ideas are from Adam Smith right?

It doesn't tell us why, just that they can.

And yes, both ideas are Adam Smith's from The Wealth of Nations, as criticized by David Warsh.