The Fortunes of Liberalism: Essays on Austrian Economics and the Ideal of Freedom

by Friedrich A. Hayek, Peter G. Klein (Editor)

In this collection of essays, some of which appear here in English for the first time, F. A. Hayek traces his intellectual roots to the Austrian School. The Fortunes of Liberalism: Essays on Austrian Economics and the Ideal of Freedom also links the Austrian School to the modern rebirth of classical liberal thought.

F. A. Hayek (1899–1992) was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1974 and the Medal of Freedom in 1991 and was one of the leading Austrian economists and political philosophers of the twentieth century.

Peter G. Klein is Associate Professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Missouri and Associate Director of the Contracting and Organizations Research Institute. He is also Adjunct Professor at the Olin School of Business.

Genres: Economics, Politics, Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

Friedrich August von Hayek CH was an Austrian and British economist and philosopher known for his defense of classical liberalism and free-market capitalism against socialist and collectivist thought. He is considered by some to be one of the most important economists and political philosophers of the twentieth century. Hayek's account of how changing prices communicate signals which enable individuals to coordinate their plans is widely regarded as an important achievement in economics. Hayek also wrote on the topics of jurisprudence, neuroscience and the history of ideas.

Hayek is one of the most influential members of the Austrian School of economics, and in 1974 shared the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics with Gunnar Myrdal "for their pioneering work in the theory of money and economic fluctuations and for their penetrating analysis of the interdependence of economic, social and institutional phenomena." He also received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991 from president George H. W. Bush.

Hayek lived in Austria, Great Britain, the United States and Germany, and became a British subject in 1938.

Reviews

[Anderson Paz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nessa coleção de ensaios, originalmente publicado em 1992, Hayek apresenta, na primeira parte, a história biográfica e teórica da Escola Austríaca. Em um contexto de declínio da escola clássica de economia e ascensão da escolha histórica de economia, orientada por política social e intervencionismo, a Escola Austríaca surge para resgatar princípios liberais na economia. Hayek homenageia e discute rapidamente as principais contribuições de Carl Menger, Wieser, Mises, Schumpeter, Schams, Mach. A primeira parte termina com um pequeno texto sobre os encontros de Hayek com seu primo Wittgenstein.
Na segunda parte, Hayek trata do renascimento do liberalismo após a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Ele se mostra muito preocupado com a necessidade de que os valores liberais penetrem a sociedade alemã pós guerra. Ele também discute sobre as contribuições de Lord Acton. Também defende um liberalismo mais coeso em torno de princípios básicos. E ainda homenageia Bruno Leoni e Leonard Read.
O livro não contribui para entender o pensamento de Hayek. O livro tem uma importância histórica em manter a memória da Escola Austríaca.

[Pedro Almeida Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's only one word to describe this compilation: a treasure! Highly recommended for the students of the old Austrian School and the friends of Liberty.

Hayek's scholarship shines throughout this masterfully edited work by Peter Klein. From Menger to Wieser, from Mises to Wittgenstein, from Jouvenel to the Mont Pelerin Society, your acquaintance with Hayek's intellectual background and his importance for the prevalence of freedom in the 20th century will be greatly enhanced, specially if you're a nerd for the details of the lives of these and many other great men.

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays that presents the intellectual roots of Austrian economics and thus of Hayek himself. Part I consists of short biographical essays on the leading thinkers of Austrian economics. Part II includes additional essays about the nature of freedom, power and nationalism. Some of the essays are available for the first time in English. This is a superb collection for those interested in the free market roots of this Nobel Laureate and lover of freedom.