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Liberalism (Lib Works Ludwig Von Mises PB)

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Ludwig Von Mises had created a sensation in 1922 when he demolished all the intellectual arguements for socialism that had been advanced in defense of collectivist in his book Socialism. In 1927 Mises published his rebuttal to critics who had accused him of attacking the flaws of socialism without offering an alternative. Mises valiantly defends the liberalism of Burke, Locke,and Menger. He proscribed policies that even now are considered revolutionary i.e an end to national borders, the free flow of goods and people across borders, the immediate end to the brutal colonialism then popular in Europe, and vast limitations on state authority. Mises believed that there are two basic forms of human organization, coercion and cooperation, and that collectivism (socialism, fascism, communism) is capable of only using the former method and not the latter. Only liberalism maximizes the freedom of the individual.

It's a shame that the liberalism von Mises espouses must be pre-classed as "classical," since the word "liberal" has come to mean precisely the opposite of what von Mises and his predecessors in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries meant by the word. In today's lexicon, his liberalism is closer to libertarianism, although I caution readers not to dismiss this book if they dismiss the political movement.

What von Mises intends to show in easy to read eloquent prose is that capitalism and democracy are natural complements to a free society. Betwixt the two, prosperity and freedom of choice have been maximized beyond all other systems, and the general well-being benefits all, even those on the lowest economic rung. This is not a comprehensive exegesis of economics that one will find in von Mises' "Human Action." Rather, it is a general survey of the dominant themes that are given their fuller voice in his more detailed analysis. Thus, this book is an excellent introduction to democratic economics in general and to capitalism in particular.

What makes the book particularly engaging is its polemical tone. It is not a polemic, but it never loses sight of its opponents, and frequently takes socialism and critics of capitalism to task for their anxiety over the merits of being free.

After a brief introduction that is thoroughly engaging, von Mises covers four broad themes: (1) The foundations of liberalism and its policies; (2) liberalism's economic policies; (3) implications of liberalism in foreign policy; and (4) how liberalism is manifested in the political process. It's in the last section that he deals with doctrinaire liberalism and why, short of necessary regulations, the market must be free if man is to be free. Von Mises is unapologetically extreme in his views, and those of us who have come to expect an interventionist economic system will see why a "well-regulated" market economy has shortcomings. Alas, however, von Mises does not address the circumstances surrounding deceit, fraud, and other malfeasance (which is the book's only shortcoming).

The "liberal" of today will also learn a great deal about himself. Von Mises explores the reasons for socialism's popularity and staying power, despite its predeliction towards despotism, totalitarianism, and ineptitude. Socialism has no rational basis for existence, but it does have a very strong psychological dynamic that von Mises admits (and frankly doesn't discuss enough in this book).

After reading this short volume, readers will likely want to investigate these ideas further. Von Mises was a prolific author, and tackles many issues in any number of his works. Certainly, "Socialism" and "Human Action" are two of his major works that may find interest. Furthermore, one of von Mises' pupils was Frederick Hayek, one of the preeminent thinkers of the twentieth century.

If you want a concise, short, and eloquent introduction to classical liberalism, I can think of no better book to serve this function. Eschew some of the latter-day libertarians, and read from the foundational author of our times.

Mises wrote Liberalism in dark times. Depression and social unrest plagued Europe after the Great War. Fascists and Nazis were on the march in Italy, Germany, and Spain. Lenin and Stalin held Russia in an iron grip. It seemed that everyone was giving up on limited government and laissez faire. Mises understood that the future of civilization was at stake. Someone needed to revive the ideas of the enlightenment. Mises had already written lengthy books against inflation and socialism, but how many people outside of academia would read such long and sophisticated books? How could human reason prevail over the demagoguery of socialists and interventionists without a succinct statement of classical liberal arguments?

Liberalism is one of the most readable book that Mises wrote. It is concise and compelling. Mises makes a strong case for limited government in a mere 193 pages. The central message of this book is that capitalism is the only economic system that can deliver the prosperity and freedom that many of us take for granted in the West. Socialism leads inevitably to a rigid inefficient bureaucracy. Interventionism is a senseless, self defeating, absurd policy". Capitalism is the progressive system. Socialism is, in contrast, a reactionary system that would fail to feed the current population, were we to attempt to live under this system.

Given the length of this book, Mises does not explain his arguments as thoroughly, compared to Human Action or Socialism, an Economic and Sociological Analysis. Yet he does explain his main points, and these other books are long enough to deter many readers. For most people the detail of his other books is unnecessary, so reading Liberalism is a good way to economize on your time.

Times have changed. The fascists and Bolsheviks are long gone. Yet the ideas in this book remain relevant and important. There are still many people who reject the true liberalism of free markets in favor of welfare state liberalism. Also, socialism is not completely dead. Liberalism provides a means for people to understand the importance of liberty with relatively little effort. While the ideas in this book failed to turn interwar Europeans from socialism, it will surely contribute to the defense of liberty in the twenty-first century.

The audio version of this book makes an easy read even more accesible. Liberalism is hardly the most difficult book that Mises wrote. Yet it is well worthwhile, and the ability to listen to it fits with a busy schedule.

Mises wrote Liberalism in dark times. Depression and social unrest plagued Europe after the Great War. Fascists and Nazis were on the march in Italy, Germany, and Spain. Lenin and Stalin held Russia in an iron grip. It seemed that everyone was giving up on limited government and laissez faire. Mises understood that the future of civilization was at stake. Someone needed to revive the ideas of the enlightenment. Mises had already written lengthy books against inflation and socialism, but how many people outside of academia would read such long and sophisticated books? How could human reason prevail over the demagoguery of socialists and interventionists without a succinct statement of classical liberal arguments?

Liberalism is one of the most readable book that Mises wrote. It is concise and compelling. Mises makes a strong case for limited government in a mere 193 pages. The central message of this book is that capitalism is the only economic system that can deliver the prosperity and freedom that many of us take for granted in the West. Socialism leads inevitably to a rigid inefficient bureaucracy. Interventionism is a senseless, self defeating, absurd policy". Capitalism is the progressive system. Socialism is, in contrast, a reactionary system that would fail to feed the current population, were we to attempt to live under this system.

Given the length of this book, Mises does not explain his arguments as thoroughly, compared to Human Action or Socialism, an Economic and Sociological Analysis. Yet he does explain his main points, and these other books are long enough to deter many readers. For most people the detail of his other books is unnecessary, so reading Liberalism is a good way to economize on your time.

Times have changed. The fascists and Bolsheviks are long gone. Yet the ideas in this book remain relevant and important. There are still many people who reject the true liberalism of free markets in favor of welfare state liberalism. Also, socialism is not completely dead. Liberalism provides a means for people to understand the importance of liberty with relatively little effort. While the ideas in this book failed to turn interwar Europeans from socialism, it will surely contribute to the defense of liberty in the twenty-first century.

Today, liberalism is a misnomer for an ideology advocating a interventionist welfare-warfare state. This ideology is known as socialism in Europe and the rest of the world and typically known as liberalism in America. For the better part of my life, I considered a classical liberal to be someone like say Ted Kennedy. Mises pointed me back to the pre-20th century classical liberalism... the liberalism of free-markets and individual liberty... the very same liberalism espoused by Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, and Frederic Bastiat. Classical Liberalism is among America's most venerable traditions, for it laid the foundation for everything revered by the conservatism and libertarianism of today. Mises vindicates free-markets and refutes socialism with his amazing verbal logic and innate sense of reasoning.

However, I find Mises' brilliant work to be just as valuable as an economics text as it is a work of political history and theory. This book is a great volume for jumping into the brilliant writings of Ludwig von Mises... Getting this book and companion volumes such as Anti-Capitalistic Mentality and Bureaucracy are a good way to gear up for Mises' magnum opus - Human Action.

I feel this was a great place to start on my Von Mises Journey. After reading Ron Paul and Henry Hazlitt, Liberalism was a perfect place to pick up true Austrian Economics. Liberalism is a quick read and broadly based on political theory. Von Mises refrains from adding too much technical jargon and stick to real substance that anyone from with classic liberal mindset can learn from.

Ludwig von Mises was a great champion of individual freedom and limited government. Much of his work was devoted to showing the impracticality of socialist and interventionist schemes. However, his work wasn't entirely negative. In the 1920s, he published LIBERALISM, which was his positive statement of the case for individual freedom, or what was then called "liberalism" (which is to say, "classical" liberalism rather than "Teddy Kennedy" liberalism).

There is much that could be said about this book, so I'll just hit on a couple points. First, as Hans-Herman Hoppe notes, von Mises argues for the right of succession. If one portion of a country (even down to an entity that can function as a "separate administrative unit") wishes to secede, it should have the right to do so. Although Mises opposed anarchism, this position "logically" leads to anarchism. If "the state" is a voluntary organization that permits small groups to secede, then it isn't much of a state. Murray Rothbard drew upon this insight in making the case for anarcho-capitalism. (See POWER AND MARKET.) Second, von Mises rejects the natural law tradition of other liberal thinkers. His case for equality before the law is based on utilitarianism. Men are unequal, but this limited equality permits the division of labor and promotes social peace.

This book also provides a good introduction to von Mises' thought. A couple other introductory works by him for the beginner are THE ANTI-CAPITALIST MENTALITY and PLANNING FOR FREEDOM.

The most significant part of this book is probably chapter one, in which Mises discusses liberty, democracy and socialism. As anyone reading this review likely knows, Mises was a strict adherent of classical liberalism's emphasis on individual liberty and freedoms. He uses the United States' legislation of personal consumption of alcohol as an example of the dangers of centralized control over individual decisions. Mises is quick to admit that alcohol, cocaine and morphine are detrimental to our bodies; but by limiting consumption we embark on a slippery slope. How long until caffeine is restricted? Sex? The press?

By giving up on the principle of non-interference in personal matters, one allows for the possibility of the micro-management of anything and everything down to the smallest detail. It is a frightening scenario that is being played out on the national stage by those in America who wish to legislate morality based on what they perceive to be "right." Mises would say that a government should exist only to guarantee basic human rights (liberty, the free flow of goods, property) and that to take them away is anathema to the principles of justice and liberty.

It is a thought-provoking piece of political theory and, although I do not agree with his overall philosophy, much of what von Mises says can be taken to heart by conservatives, liberals, and anyone in between.

This book is by the dean of the Austrian School of economic thought. It is a very short read of about 200 pages including the introduction, talking about the new dirty word in politics, "Liberalism." It is not the type of liberalism that you think of when thinking of John Kerry. In fact, most of it is the complete opposite. Like most sensible people, unlike politics, Mises used the word in relation to its definition from the latin word "liber" meaning free.

Since there are many big ideas in this book that I will probably write future posts about, I will only give this a brief book review. The overarching main theme is that the Liberalist's policies are those of a society build upon freedom and Capitalism. Capitalism has been the key to success bringing wealth to everyone, along with freedom. I think this is an important point that people overlook. Capitalism back in his time and still today is portrayed as only helping the rich. This makes no sense at all because none of the polices pursued by supporters of Capitalism support a certain class.

This leads to another great point Mises makes which is that when people talk and think of a monarchy, they always think of themselves as the king. In a oligarchy, they are always apart of the ruling class. In a socialist system, they are always the central planner. In Capitalism, they are always what? When someone talks about Capitalism, they never put themselves in any ruling class over someone else. This alone should make people skeptical of what these other people are coming up with as organization.

Capitalism is not complicated even though today people try to complicate it. It is simply, as Mises puts it, private property as the means of production. This is completely opposite of communal property as the means of production or Socialism. This argument could go on and I am sure in his other literature, he continues these arguments. But it is without a doubt that this should be a required reading for all politicians and policymakers. Since very few of us are those, then this should be a good starting book into the literature of Capitalism. And I will end this with a great ending quote from the book:

" It [Liberalism] has no party flower and no party color, no party song and no party idols, no symbols and no slogans. It has the substance and the arguments. These must lead it to victory."

As a percentage of GDP, the United States government spends more than the Chinese. There is no better measurement of socio-economic freedom, so is it right that we consider the situation in China to be communistic, and the U.S. to be a democratic, capitalistic society? Von Mises will please any mind that finds the preceding point elucidating.

He is a master of the Austrian (classical liberal) school of economics, his points are made brilliantly using history as a guide. 'Liberalism' is a fantastic non-technical description of his principles. VonMises is occasionally overzealous in his explication of the concept of liberty, but his zeal is a testament to the energizing power of these ideas. In a world where governments are involved in nearly ever process of our lives, 'Liberalism' points out that there is an economic 'path less taken', the path of individual freedom, and we have every right to believe that this path leads to a prosperity we can only dream of today.

Well written and insightful - 'Liberalism' is an excellent starting point to understanding the perspective of the classical liberal.