Adam Smith wrote, in <i>The Wealth of Nations</i>, Chap. XI, Part III, "Rent of Land: Conclusion":<p>"The plans and projects of the employers of stock regulate and direct all the most important operations of labor, and profit  is the end proposed by all those plans and projects.  But the rate of profit does not, like rent and wages, rise with the prosperity, and fall with the declension, of the society.  On the contrary, it is naturally low in rich, and high in poor countries, and it is always highest in the countries which are going fastest to ruin."<p>Seems like Henry Ford was on the same page.