"The Political Arithmetick" (work)

"The Political Arithmetic" is a book by Sir William Petty from 1690 that introduced the idea of applying statistical and mathematical methods to understand social and economic issues. Petty analyzed data like population, resources, and trade to inform government decisions, advocating for a scientific approach to policy-making. His work laid the groundwork for modern social statistics and economic analysis by emphasizing the importance of data collection and quantitative reasoning in understanding a nation's wellbeing and planning effectively.