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Economic Freedom and Interventionism: An Anthology of Articles and Essays
Economic Freedom and Interventionism
is both a primer of the fundamental thought of Ludwig von Mises and an anthology of the writings of perhaps the best-known exponent of what is now known as the Austrian School of economics. This volume contains forty-seven articles edited by Mises scholar Bettina Bien Greaves. Among them are Mises’s expositions of the role of government, his discussion of inequality of wealth, inflation, socialism, welfare, and economic education, as well as his exploration of the “deeper” significance of economics as it affects seemingly noneconomic relations between human beings. These papers are essential reading for students of economic freedom and the science of human action.
Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) was the leading spokesman of the Austrian School of Economics throughout most of the twentieth century. He earned his doctorate in law and economics from the University of Vienna in 1906. In 1926, Mises founded the Austrian Institute for Business Cycle Research. From 1909 to 1934, he was an economist for the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. Before the Anschluss, in 1934 Mises left for Geneva, where he was a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Studies until 1940, when he emigrated to New York City. From 1948 to 1969, he was a visiting professor at New York University.
Bettina Bien Greaves is a former resident scholar, trustee, and longtime staff member of the Foundation for Economic Education. She has written and lectured extensively on topics of free market economics. Her articles have appeared in such journals as Human Events, Reason, and The Freeman: Ideas on Liberty. A student of Mises, Greaves has become an expert on his work in particular and that of the Austrian School of economics in general. She has translated several Mises monographs, compiled an annotated bibliography of his work, and edited collections of papers by Mises and other members of the Austrian School.
Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) was the leading spokesman of the Austrian School of Economics throughout most of the twentieth century. He earned his doctorate in law and economics from the University of Vienna in 1906. In 1926, Mises founded the Austrian Institute for Business Cycle Research. From 1909 to 1934, he was an economist for the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. Before the Anschluss, in 1934 Mises left for Geneva, where he was a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Studies until 1940, when he emigrated to New York City. From 1948 to 1969, he was a visiting professor at New York University.
Bettina Bien Greaves is a former resident scholar, trustee, and longtime staff member of the Foundation for Economic Education. She has written and lectured extensively on topics of free market economics. Her articles have appeared in such journals as Human Events, Reason, and The Freeman: Ideas on Liberty. A student of Mises, Greaves has become an expert on his work in particular and that of the Austrian School of economics in general. She has translated several Mises monographs, compiled an annotated bibliography of his work, and edited collections of papers by Mises and other members of the Austrian School.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
187 people want to read
About the author
Ludwig von Mises
271 books1,244 followersLudwig Heinrich Edler von Mises (German pronunciation: [ˈluːtvɪç fɔn ˈmiːzəs]; September 29, 1881 – October 10, 1973) was an Austrian economist, historian, philosopher, author, and classical liberal who had a significant influence on the Austrian government's economic policies in the first third of the 20th century, the Austrian School of Economics, and the modern free-market libertarian movement.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 5, 2021
Nearly gave it 3, only because there is a lot of overlap with another collection (Economic Policy: Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow) which I preferred overall. Some absolute gold in both though.
August 1, 2024
A COLLECTION OF MISES' ESSAYS FROM A VARIETY OF PERIODICALS
Ludwig Heinrich Edler von Mises (1881-1973) was one of the major figures in the Austrian School of economics; Nobel Prize winner Friedrich Hayek was a pupil of his. His major works are 'Human Action: A Treatise on Economics' and 'Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis.' This 1990 book was edited by Bettina Bien Greaves (wife of Percy Greaves), and the writings are taken from publications such as 'The Freeman,' 'Christian Economics,' 'New Individualist Review,' etc.
He observes, "Men are unequal and the inherent inferiority of the many manifests itself also in the manner in which they enjoy the affluence capitalism bestows upon them. It would be a boon for mankind, say many authors, if the common man would spend less time and money for the satisfaction of vulgar appetites and more for higher and nobler gratifications. But should not distinguished critics rather blame themselves than the masses? Why did they... not better succeed in persuading the masses of inferior people to drop their vulgar tastes and habits?" (Pg. 25)
He says about his The Theory of Money and Credit (Lib Works Ludwig Von Mises PB) [Paperback] that "I tried to construct a theory based entirely upon the modern subjectivist methods of dealing with economic issues, the marginal utility concept... I pointed out that the phenomenon of interest, i.e., the higher valuation of present goods as against future goods, is an ineluctable category of human conduct.... If one wants to avert depressions, one must abstain from any tampering with the rate of interest. Thus was elaborated the theory which supporters and critics of my ideas very soon began to call the 'Austrian theory of the trade cycle.'" (Pg. 52-53)
He suggests, "It is paradoxical indeed that Washington is eager to spend the taxpayers' money for the benefit of European deficit railroads and does not bother about the transit deficits of large American cities. Marshall Plan aid seems to differ from charity, at least in this respect---it does not begin at home." (Pg. 64) He argues, "the great [German] inflation and the Nazi scourge both derived from the mentalities and the doctrines that long dominated German public opinion. The State... was supposed to be able to achieve anything. The omnipotent State was credited with the magic power of unlimited spending without any burden on the citizenry..." (Pg. 90-91)
Somewhat surprisingly, he says that "Unfortunately, the third part of Professor Hayek's book [The Constitution of Liberty] is rather disappointing. Here the author tried to distinguish between socialism and the Welfare State. Socialism, he alleges, is on the decline; the Welfare State is supplanting it. And he thinks the Welfare State is, under certain conditions, compatible with liberty." (Pg. 151) He says of Rothbard's 'Man, Economy and State,' "Less successful than his investigations in the fields of general praxeology and economics are the author's occasional observations concerning the philosophy of law and some problems of the penal code." But he concludes, "Henceforth all essential studies ... will have to take full account of the theories and criticisms expounded by Dr. Rothbard." (Pg. 156-157)
For students of Mises, Austrian Economics, or Libertarianism, these essays will be of great interest.
Ludwig Heinrich Edler von Mises (1881-1973) was one of the major figures in the Austrian School of economics; Nobel Prize winner Friedrich Hayek was a pupil of his. His major works are 'Human Action: A Treatise on Economics' and 'Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis.' This 1990 book was edited by Bettina Bien Greaves (wife of Percy Greaves), and the writings are taken from publications such as 'The Freeman,' 'Christian Economics,' 'New Individualist Review,' etc.
He observes, "Men are unequal and the inherent inferiority of the many manifests itself also in the manner in which they enjoy the affluence capitalism bestows upon them. It would be a boon for mankind, say many authors, if the common man would spend less time and money for the satisfaction of vulgar appetites and more for higher and nobler gratifications. But should not distinguished critics rather blame themselves than the masses? Why did they... not better succeed in persuading the masses of inferior people to drop their vulgar tastes and habits?" (Pg. 25)
He says about his The Theory of Money and Credit (Lib Works Ludwig Von Mises PB) [Paperback] that "I tried to construct a theory based entirely upon the modern subjectivist methods of dealing with economic issues, the marginal utility concept... I pointed out that the phenomenon of interest, i.e., the higher valuation of present goods as against future goods, is an ineluctable category of human conduct.... If one wants to avert depressions, one must abstain from any tampering with the rate of interest. Thus was elaborated the theory which supporters and critics of my ideas very soon began to call the 'Austrian theory of the trade cycle.'" (Pg. 52-53)
He suggests, "It is paradoxical indeed that Washington is eager to spend the taxpayers' money for the benefit of European deficit railroads and does not bother about the transit deficits of large American cities. Marshall Plan aid seems to differ from charity, at least in this respect---it does not begin at home." (Pg. 64) He argues, "the great [German] inflation and the Nazi scourge both derived from the mentalities and the doctrines that long dominated German public opinion. The State... was supposed to be able to achieve anything. The omnipotent State was credited with the magic power of unlimited spending without any burden on the citizenry..." (Pg. 90-91)
Somewhat surprisingly, he says that "Unfortunately, the third part of Professor Hayek's book [The Constitution of Liberty] is rather disappointing. Here the author tried to distinguish between socialism and the Welfare State. Socialism, he alleges, is on the decline; the Welfare State is supplanting it. And he thinks the Welfare State is, under certain conditions, compatible with liberty." (Pg. 151) He says of Rothbard's 'Man, Economy and State,' "Less successful than his investigations in the fields of general praxeology and economics are the author's occasional observations concerning the philosophy of law and some problems of the penal code." But he concludes, "Henceforth all essential studies ... will have to take full account of the theories and criticisms expounded by Dr. Rothbard." (Pg. 156-157)
For students of Mises, Austrian Economics, or Libertarianism, these essays will be of great interest.
May 23, 2023
Mises is a legend
December 17, 2012
If you are an economic libertarian (and who isn't) this is a book for you - excerpts from von Mises' works that capture his economic philosophy. You can get it free at the oll.libertyfund.org.
September 1, 2011
Right about everything.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews