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Lucros e perdas
Lucros e Perdas é conferência ministrada em 1951 por Ludwig von Mises, no encontro da Mont Pelerin Society, realizado na França. Dentre os temas abordados estão a natureza econômica dos lucros e das perdas, a condenação dos lucros com a proposta de abolição dos mesmos, e a alternativa oferecida pelo livre mercado. O livro reúne também um ensaio do autor sobre a questão da igualdade e da desigualdade.
Na edição brasileira foram incluídos uma apresentação biográfica de Ludwig von Mises escrita por Jim Powell, uma apresentação do padre Robert A. Sirico sobre o papel dos lucros, um prefácio de Antony Mueller, um posfácio de Hans-Hermann Hoppe sobre a ética do empreendedorismo e do lucro, notas de rodapé do editor e um novo índice remissivo e onomástico.
Na edição brasileira foram incluídos uma apresentação biográfica de Ludwig von Mises escrita por Jim Powell, uma apresentação do padre Robert A. Sirico sobre o papel dos lucros, um prefácio de Antony Mueller, um posfácio de Hans-Hermann Hoppe sobre a ética do empreendedorismo e do lucro, notas de rodapé do editor e um novo índice remissivo e onomástico.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1951
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About the author
Ludwig von Mises
284 books1,257 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 20, 2022
2020-07-19 - Simply one of the very best summaries of the free market system's key feature. It was originally a lecture to the Mt. Pelerin Society meeting in the early 1950s, later published as a short monograph, then included in a compilation of Mises speeches and articles called Planning for Freedom. This short book is a reprint of the original speech/essay.
This is simple, yet very insightful and powerful.
I recommend it for anyone who wants to know the key to how a free market really works and how it differs from a socialist economy or an interventionist one, since most all economies in the world are quite interventionist, pretty far from being free markets.
I have read this at least 4x since I first read it, in a white heat, about 1976. It was such a breath of clean, fresh air, compared to the incredibly polluted, or at least watered down, or downright muddy economics I was being taught in high school then college, about 50-45 years ago. Since then, many more individuals have encountered this and other works by Mises, than had up to then, but still far too few, especially in the economics profession. Mises is still FAR too little known.
But as the rallying cry in Brazil says, and I'm a staunch fan of: "Menos Marx, Mas Mises!" (Less Marx, More Mises!).
Great little intro to Mises, capitalism, free markets, socialism, interventionism, etc.
This is simple, yet very insightful and powerful.
I recommend it for anyone who wants to know the key to how a free market really works and how it differs from a socialist economy or an interventionist one, since most all economies in the world are quite interventionist, pretty far from being free markets.
I have read this at least 4x since I first read it, in a white heat, about 1976. It was such a breath of clean, fresh air, compared to the incredibly polluted, or at least watered down, or downright muddy economics I was being taught in high school then college, about 50-45 years ago. Since then, many more individuals have encountered this and other works by Mises, than had up to then, but still far too few, especially in the economics profession. Mises is still FAR too little known.
But as the rallying cry in Brazil says, and I'm a staunch fan of: "Menos Marx, Mas Mises!" (Less Marx, More Mises!).
Great little intro to Mises, capitalism, free markets, socialism, interventionism, etc.
May 2, 2017
A valuable short introduction to the economic nature of profits, its relation to entrepreneurship and the impossibility of a rational allocation of resources without the profit and loss mechanism.
Should definitely be read by any economics undergrad.
Should definitely be read by any economics undergrad.
July 31, 2014
Mises reclaims entrepreneurs and their role in society from the conflated rhetoric of government interventionsists and collectivists. He champions their efforts and reminds us, through sound economics, why the capitalist system rewards those who best serve the consumer public. These heroes of enterprise are more responsive to the needs of the public than government. He also challenges the myths that profit and engagement in the free market result in a zero-sum game. Simply, "we are each better off by trade". Entrepreneurs move society forward as they show us how to better allocate resources--leaving behind less waste and providing greater prosperity for all of us. Matter cannot neither be created nor destroyed, but humans do continue to finding ways to make more with less.
Profit and Loss is a great introductory essay for those who want to understand the libertarian emphasis on markets, the price system, subjective value, why government intervention in economies harms society, and why each of these matter to one's own well-being.
Profit and Loss is a great introductory essay for those who want to understand the libertarian emphasis on markets, the price system, subjective value, why government intervention in economies harms society, and why each of these matter to one's own well-being.
July 19, 2020
Rarely do we encounter economic books that teach the basics of economic theory and economic law as good and as clearly as the master of the science of economics himself, Ludwig von Mises. This is not only the best defense of both profit and loss of businesses in a free market and free society; but an equivalence, and a sound argument for that aim, between profit and prosperity.
I really cannot recommend this book enough to all readers, whether they were interested in economics or not, for its goal to show how important profits and losses for the advancement of society and its progress, sometimes even in the moral sense, lies in this (and in the price-) mechanism.
The book also dedicates a whole chapter to answer on the annoying claims that profiteering comes at the expense of the poor, or that the capitalist destroys whatever comes in their way in the name of profit, etc... This book is a masterpiece.
I really cannot recommend this book enough to all readers, whether they were interested in economics or not, for its goal to show how important profits and losses for the advancement of society and its progress, sometimes even in the moral sense, lies in this (and in the price-) mechanism.
The book also dedicates a whole chapter to answer on the annoying claims that profiteering comes at the expense of the poor, or that the capitalist destroys whatever comes in their way in the name of profit, etc... This book is a masterpiece.
May 22, 2013
I recommend this book to people who know deep down that rewarding both the winners and losers of the pee-wee soccer team with a trophy is wrong, but find themselves unable to articulate why. Loss is just as critical to progress as is winning/profit.
February 13, 2024
"Every step toward the elimination of profit is progress on the way toward social disintegration"
"Profit and Loss" by Ludwig von Mises is a seminal work in the field of economics, providing a comprehensive analysis of the role of entrepreneurship, profit, and loss in a market economy. Originally published in 1951 as part of Mises's larger treatise, "Human Action," this book focuses specifically on the economic phenomena of profit and loss and their significance in shaping the dynamics of a free-market system.
One of the strengths of Mises's work is his clear and lucid writing style, making complex economic concepts accessible to a wide range of readers. He begins by emphasizing the crucial role of entrepreneurship in driving economic progress. Mises contends that entrepreneurs are the driving force behind innovation and economic development, as they take calculated risks to introduce new products or methods. In this pursuit, the prospect of profit serves as a powerful motivator, incentivizing individuals to allocate resources efficiently and meet the ever-changing demands of consumers.
Mises's exploration of profit and loss is grounded in the Austrian School of Economics, emphasizing subjective value and individual preferences. He argues that profit is a signal of successful resource allocation, indicating that entrepreneurs have effectively fulfilled consumer desires. On the other hand, losses serve as important feedback, signaling the need for adjustments in the production process or a shift in entrepreneurial activities.
The book also addresses the impact of government interventions on the market, illustrating how interventions distort the signals of profit and loss, leading to the misallocation of resources and economic inefficiencies. Mises's critique of central planning and advocacy for free-market principles remains relevant in contemporary discussions on economic policy.
Mises's work stands as a timeless contribution to the understanding of the market economy and the vital roles that profit and loss play in shaping its dynamics.
"Profit and Loss" by Ludwig von Mises is a seminal work in the field of economics, providing a comprehensive analysis of the role of entrepreneurship, profit, and loss in a market economy. Originally published in 1951 as part of Mises's larger treatise, "Human Action," this book focuses specifically on the economic phenomena of profit and loss and their significance in shaping the dynamics of a free-market system.
One of the strengths of Mises's work is his clear and lucid writing style, making complex economic concepts accessible to a wide range of readers. He begins by emphasizing the crucial role of entrepreneurship in driving economic progress. Mises contends that entrepreneurs are the driving force behind innovation and economic development, as they take calculated risks to introduce new products or methods. In this pursuit, the prospect of profit serves as a powerful motivator, incentivizing individuals to allocate resources efficiently and meet the ever-changing demands of consumers.
Mises's exploration of profit and loss is grounded in the Austrian School of Economics, emphasizing subjective value and individual preferences. He argues that profit is a signal of successful resource allocation, indicating that entrepreneurs have effectively fulfilled consumer desires. On the other hand, losses serve as important feedback, signaling the need for adjustments in the production process or a shift in entrepreneurial activities.
The book also addresses the impact of government interventions on the market, illustrating how interventions distort the signals of profit and loss, leading to the misallocation of resources and economic inefficiencies. Mises's critique of central planning and advocacy for free-market principles remains relevant in contemporary discussions on economic policy.
Mises's work stands as a timeless contribution to the understanding of the market economy and the vital roles that profit and loss play in shaping its dynamics.
May 6, 2024
Książka, a raczej esej, jak sam tytuł wskazuje, mówi o zysku i stracie i ich miejscu w teorii ekonomii. O ich funkcji, jako sygnałów rynkowych zapewniających najlepsze możliwe alokacje rzadkich zasobów; o możliwości ich zaistnienia, jako o wyniku niedostosowań wartości realnych i nominalnych oraz niepełności informacji; mówi wreszcie o konsekwencjach walki z "nadmiernymi" zyskami w postaci gorszego i bardziej kosztownego, marnotrawnego dostosowywania się struktury produkcji do struktury popytu.
Zysk i strata to sygnały, dzięki którym, zgodnie z kryterium suwerenności konsumenta, rządzimy rynkiem i wyciskamy tyle użyteczności społecznej, ile tylko przedsiębiorcy potrafią zapewnić goniąc za zyskiem, wynikającym z naszej aprobaty. Mało kto zdaje sobie sprawę, że ten mechanizm tak na prawdę to nas czyni władcami gospodarki. Jakiekolwiek naruszenie go spowoduje, że delikatna machina przepływu informacji i sygnałów od konsumentów utraci swoją funkcję, a co za tym idzie, będziemy świadkami coraz skrajniejszych niedostosowań - nadwyżek, niedoborów, braku rozwoju...
U Misesa zawsze urzeka świetne ujęcie istoty tematu. Książkę polecam każdemu z czystym sumieniem.
Zysk i strata to sygnały, dzięki którym, zgodnie z kryterium suwerenności konsumenta, rządzimy rynkiem i wyciskamy tyle użyteczności społecznej, ile tylko przedsiębiorcy potrafią zapewnić goniąc za zyskiem, wynikającym z naszej aprobaty. Mało kto zdaje sobie sprawę, że ten mechanizm tak na prawdę to nas czyni władcami gospodarki. Jakiekolwiek naruszenie go spowoduje, że delikatna machina przepływu informacji i sygnałów od konsumentów utraci swoją funkcję, a co za tym idzie, będziemy świadkami coraz skrajniejszych niedostosowań - nadwyżek, niedoborów, braku rozwoju...
U Misesa zawsze urzeka świetne ujęcie istoty tematu. Książkę polecam każdemu z czystym sumieniem.
July 15, 2020
After reading Bureaucracy (also by Mises), I decided I wanted a good reference book to send people untrained in economics to understand the basic arguments. I was directed to this short book of fewer than 50 pages, and I can honestly say that it is the most elegant and accessible introduction to the topic I have seen so far. This is now my go-to for getting people into economics.
September 5, 2019
Excellent short descriptions in relation to mentality of Commons for profits, losses, and negative entrepreneurial spirit, mainly due to negligence and unawareness of problems with the socialist system.
August 7, 2018
Na minha opinião, é a obra prima de Mises
July 9, 2020
a lot of good points here.
May 29, 2022
This is a good book on profit and loss. It’s clear and with lots of reasoning (especially on the arguments against anti-capitalists). It shows the faulty mentality of those who want to abolish profits and establish taxation or socialist policies. They think that abolishing profits would raise the standard of living of employees/wage earners or the poor. This idea is stupid. The fact that they want entrepreneurs to stop seeking profit because they are greedy and selfish is necessarily evil. Why would one want entrepreneurs to be condemned for wanting to be successful and selfish who seek their own benefits? The people that condemn them are condemning the good for being good--that is envy. They want to abolish profits because they are envious of those who want the best for themselves, and those who want success.
However, I disagree with Mises about something and I will be explaining it. I disagree with the concept of consumers being superiors to the producers. It somehow draws the line between producers and consumers. I look at consumers as producers as well, and I look at consumers not as superiors to producers but as equal traders. Consumers value the products of the producers and producers value the money of the consumers—they are both on mutual terms. I do not see producers serving consumers, but they supply consumers with demanded and high-quality products because they want high profits (profit motive) and I do not think Mises disagrees on this since he, too, is a supporter of the profit motive.
I would recommend this book for those who want to learn about the mechanism of profit and loss and capitalism.
However, I disagree with Mises about something and I will be explaining it. I disagree with the concept of consumers being superiors to the producers. It somehow draws the line between producers and consumers. I look at consumers as producers as well, and I look at consumers not as superiors to producers but as equal traders. Consumers value the products of the producers and producers value the money of the consumers—they are both on mutual terms. I do not see producers serving consumers, but they supply consumers with demanded and high-quality products because they want high profits (profit motive) and I do not think Mises disagrees on this since he, too, is a supporter of the profit motive.
I would recommend this book for those who want to learn about the mechanism of profit and loss and capitalism.
July 17, 2019
//polish
W tym dziele Ludwig von Mises opisuje funkcję mechanizmu zysku i straty w kalkulacji ekonomicznej i alokacji zasobów w gospodarce. Zysk jest możliwy, ponieważ przyszłość jest niepewna i ludzie często niewłaściwie szacują przyszłe potrzeby. Przedsiębiorca może osiągnąć zysk alokując zasoby tam, gdzie są aktualnie(lub będą) potrzebne(ponieważ potrzeby ludzi się zmieniają). Im trafniej przewiduje potrzeby, tym większy zysk może osiągnąć. Zysk/strata jest cenną informacją dla przedsiębiorców, dzięki której wiedzą, czy zużyte przez nich dobra produkcyjne są warte mniej/więcej od wartości finalnego produktu. To pozwala ocenić, czy wykorzystują dobrze zasoby oraz czy ich nie marnują. Ponadto wysokość zysków świadczy o tym, gdzie najlepiej inwestować i gdzie przenosić produkcję.
W drugiej części autor zajmuje się krytykami zysków oraz konsekwencjami zniesienia tego mechanizmu na rzecz socjalizmu. Esej jest krótki, jednak dostępny tylko w języku angielskim. Poza tym problemy opisane w tym dziele były też poruszane w innych dziełach autora, jak "Ludzkie Działanie". Jeśli ktoś szuka czegoś krótkiego o tej tematyce, to polecam.
June 12, 2025
Foundations of Austrian Economics. This book provides a clear and concise way to understand why profit and loss guide an economy. A great and very short read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews