Description
Book SynopsisRichard Ebeling's insightful and highly readable book explains and applies the ideas of the Austrian economists to a wide range of contemporary public policy issues. He combines intellectual political-economic history with the modern Austrian theory of the market process to challenge the premises and uses of mainstream neoclassical economics.
He shows the continuities between the positive contributions of the classical economists and the Austrian's in contrast to the neoclassical conceptions of man, the market economy and theory-formation for policy applications. Particular emphasis is given to the Austrian view of the human actor as creative innovator and planner who changes his world to improve his circumstances in comparison to the neoclassical idea of man as a passive economizer within given constraints. The Austrian approach is applied to the problems of the regulated economy, socialist central planning, the welfare state, monetary policy, international trade, and the hundred-year conflict between classical liberalism and collectivism.
Economists, historians of thought and policy analysts will find this collection of essays illuminating.
Trade Review'I can recommend this 10-chapter book without reservation to anyone who is interested in Ludwig von Mises, Austrian economics, or the history of economic ideologies.' -- J. Patrick Gunning, History of Economic Ideas
'This compilation of essays is an attractive addition to the Austrian economics literature.' -- Troy P. Lynch, History of Economics Review
'Richard M. Ebeling is one of the most dedicated and competent scholars engaged in research on the life and work of Ludwig von Mises. Professor Ebeling's work on different aspects of Austrian economics is thorough and enlightening. The publication of this collection of his essays will be welcomed by all discerning scholars in the field.' -- Israel M. Kirzner, New York University, US
Table of ContentsContents: Introduction 1. How Economics Became the Dismal Science: The Classical Economists and 20th Century Economics 2. The Significance of Austrian Economics in 20th Century Economic Thought 3. A Rational Economist in an Irrational Age: Ludwig von Mises 4. Economic Calculation under Socialism: Ludwig von Mises and his Predecessors 5. Ludwig von Mises and the Gold Standard 6. Classical Liberalism and Collectivism in the 20th Century 7. The Political Myths and Economic Realities of the Welfare State 8. The Free Market and the Interventionist State: The Political Economy of Public Policy 9. The Limits of Economic Policy: The Austrian Economists and the German ORDO Liberals 10. The Global Economy and Classical Liberalism: Past, Present and Future Index
