John Atkinson Hobson (1858 - 1940) was an English social scientist and economist most famous for his work on imperialism-which notably had an influence on Vladimir Lenin-as well as his theory of underconsumption. His early work also questioned the classical theory of rent and predicted the Neoclassical marginal productivity theory of distribution. First published in 1913, Hobson’s treatise Gold, Prices and Wages is a fascinating exploration of economics that examines the role of gold and its relationship the contemporary rising price of commodities. Contents include: The Rise of Prices , The Price Problem. Quantity of Money , Fold and Prices , The Basis of Credit , Retardation of the Supply of Goods , The Distribution of Wealth , and The Theory of Money and Prices . This volume is highly recommended for those with an interest in economics, and especially the economic situation in Europe before World War I. Other notable works by this author include: Evolution of Modern Capitalism (1894), Problem of the Unemployed (1896), and John Ruskin: Social Reformer (1898). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with an essay from On Principles of Political Economy and Taxation by David Ricardo.