# Critique of Classical Political Economy in Unto This Last

> Theme guide for Unto This Last by John Ruskin.

Ruskin systematically attacks the foundations of classical political economy, arguing that it falsely treats humans as mere 'covetous machines' and ignores the essential role of moral and social affections in economic life.

## Where it surfaces

- [Unto This Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/unto-this-last): Ruskin directly challenges the foundational principles of classical economics, arguing they ignore moral and human dimensions.
- [I: The Roots of Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/i-the-roots-of-honour): Ruskin attacks political economy for ignoring social affections and treating humans as 'covetous machines.'
- [II: The Veins of Wealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/ii-the-veins-of-wealth): Ruskin directly challenges the principle 'Buy in the cheapest market and sell in the dearest' as an available principle of national economy, arguing it ignores moral sources.
- [III: Qui Judicatis Terram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/iii-qui-judicatis-terram): Ruskin denounces the common doctrines of political economy as disgraceful to human intellect, arguing they systematically disobey the first principles of the nation's professed religion.
- [IV: Ad Valorem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/iv-ad-valorem): Ruskin systematically challenges Mill's and Ricardo's definitions of value, wealth, and productive labor, arguing they ignore moral and human dimensions.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/chapters/endnotes): Ruskin challenges Mill and Ricardo's definitions of value and labor, arguing they neglect moral and passionate elements.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/themes/critique_of_political_economy
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unto_this_last_se/themes