米塞斯回忆录

by Ludwig von Mises, 路德维希·冯·米塞斯, 黄华侨 (Translator)

和路德维希·冯·米塞斯的遭遇比起来，很多自诩“热爱自由之人”的经历微不足道。米塞斯流离失所，目睹国家被纳粹占领，自己的书被焚毁，论文被窃，最后被赶出待了六年的避难所。1940年，米塞斯移居美国。在旅途中，他开始撰写这本回忆录。《米塞斯回忆录》不仅深入记述了米塞斯前三分之二的人生经历，也成为热爱自由之人在专制暴政时期的道德和精神指引。他用奥地利官员经济顾问的视角描述了自己的时代。他反对国家主义和通货膨胀，试图阻拦欧洲的干预政策。他论及教学和研讨会、腐败的政客和中央银行家，直至遍布学术界和公共领域的集权霸道。在奥地利即将追随德国陷入通胀深渊之际，他力挽狂澜，拯救国家于水火。愤怒是此书的灵感之源。米塞斯是执着于真理的伟大思想家，他从未放弃在观念领域战斗。对他来说，敌人就是坏的思想；而令他遗憾的，并非过于好斗，而是过于妥协。

Genres: Economics, Politics, Biography, History

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Ludwig 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.

Reviews

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I set out to be a reformer, but only became a historian of decline" (98).

This book is not a memoir, it is a dry recollection of Von Mises' professional career as an economist and intellectual up until WW2. Mises writes pretty impersonally, which is surprising considering that he fundamentally believed that emotions influenced politics, or at least those who disagreed with his laissez faire view of the world. We learn very little of Mises' motivations for studying economics, his hopes, his hates or his relationships. Reading this book it would appear that he had no relationships outside of his professional life.

Another striking thing about these memoirs is that Von Mises complains ad nauseam about not getting the recognition or academic kudos he deserved. This is all whilst Mises brags about his being known as one of the most important economists of his day, having direct influence on the Social Democratic Party (through Otto Bauer), his influence in changing the central bank's policy through his writings, and also being offered multiple jobs at top banking firms as a result of his writing. The fact that Mises fails to spot this irony is jarring, and I believe that Mises only felt this way because he didn't get the exact academic career he wanted (a role he described as his calling), and instead chose to take a position as an unpaid lecturer. However, this isn't a role to be scoffed at, as Mises was still simultaneously writing important contributions on the subject of banking, and being paid for his writings, all whilst scoffing at the academics who were more successful than him. Hardly the kind of pauper-style life of a modern untenured academic.

There are a couple of tidbits which are worth checking out for people learning economics. For example, Mises' debates with Otto Bauer, Böhm Bawerk and Rudolf Hilferding are touched on. Of course, we only read of how Mises' enemies were ultimately stupid and couldn't grasp the situation being debated, but some of the technical details discussed are dealt with in a purely descriptive manner.

[Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siempre es un gusto volver a leer a este hombre. Este texto revela su (justificado) mal carácter en una época de general desánimo. Nada personal. Todo académico. Muy recomendable.

[Douglass Gaking · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ludwig von Mises was a classical liberal economist in Austria, with the peak of his career being in the interwar period, when socialism and fascism were competing for control of Europe. This memoir is not very personal, but is a patchwork of stories about his career. Its structure and writing style leave something to be desired, but its historical perspective and principles in the fight against nationalism and socialism are as important as ever.

With the rise of socialism and fascism, it become popular in academia to follow these groups and to publish research designed to promote the groups' ideas. Mises, a Jewish intellectual and a principled economist and philosopher, wanted no part in that. Naturally, students were discouraged by his colleagues from studying with him. This did not stop Mises or his students and contemporaries from meeting regularly to discuss philosophy and economics, especially the epistemology that has become the foundation of the Austrian school of economics.

With its roots in logic and epistemology, the Austrian school approach leans more toward science than social science. Ideas are tested, not speculated or assumed. Mises writes that "in science, there is only one sure method for the ultimate triumph of an idea: one should allow any contrary notion to run its course completely." Scientists must welcome criticism of their work and use it to strengthen their arguments or change them when necessary. It is this discourse that proves theories and allows humanity to progress. Scientists should challenge each other's ideas everywhere they can to prove which are true and which need refining: "He who only says what others want to hear is better off remaining silent," and "in science, compromise is a betrayal of truth."

Socialism and interventionism "gain meaning or purpose from the assertion that history inevitably leads to them." These are dangerous ideas that must be challenged by scientists and thinkers rather than simply accepted because they sound nice. In the 21st century, Mises's scientific approach to economic thought is as important as ever. Nationalism and socialism are again taking root in the world's most powerful countries, and these pose threats to science and to human welfare and liberty.

[Jesuss Enrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy bonito. Y pensar que tenemos la misma visión pesimista sobre el mundo académico. El Venezolano en mi caso, está plagado de izquierdistas y keynesianos con visión de planificadores sociales.
También me enseñó sobre historia de Austria de forma indirecta.

[Gregory · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is short and not very interesting outside Austrian history. There is almost nothing here about LvM his personal life etc. I wasn't expecting this kind of memoirs. Just for the die hard fans of LvM and his genius.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a fragment of a memoir, covering little more than Mises' professional life and the financial & monetary policies of Austria leading up to WW2. If you're already interested in either of those subjects you'll find this book fascinating.

[John Sharp]

This is a must read if you are looking for a different perspective on the inter-war period in Germany and Austria.