Abstract

The purpose of this note is to highlight some insights of Adam Smith into the role of the state in the field of education with respect to economic development processes. To this end, the note comments on some of Smith’s assertions in Book V of the An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations entitled Of the Revenue of the Sovereign or Commonwealth, of interest and utility in the current development policy debate. Specifically, the article presents some interesting observations by Smith on education as a means to counter the alienation caused by the division of labor, education for social inclusion and the different types of education policies. From these insights it emerges that education policies should be seen as a major pillar of the national development strategy