Mises vs Rothbard

bruno — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:26:55 +0000

In 2002, Pat Gunning wrote a paper (How to Be a Value Free Advocate of Laissez Faire: Ludwig von Mises's Solution), criticising Murray N Rothbard's criticism of Ludwig von Mises's advocacy of laissez-faire policy whilst maintaining a supposedly value-free perspective. Walter Block replied (Value Freedom, Laissez Faire, Mises and Rothbard: A comment on Prof. Gunning) in Rothbard's defence, to which Gunning posted a reposte (Did Mises Err? Was He a Utilitarian?: Reply to Block).

It was a storm in a teacup, but the alternative stances of Mises and Rothbard are not without significance. The point at stake was whether Austrian economics could be used as a guide to policy without stating one's ethical perspective. If Rothbard was right, one would need either to accept his ethical model, or derive an alternative model, if one wished to advocate Austrian liberalism as the basis of government policy, as anyone disillusioned with current interventionist policies might wish to do.

Picking Losers... - Mises vs Rothbard - Comments

Mises vs Rothbard