Philosophy and Methodology

Kendall, a leading twentieth-century conservative, admired Rousseau and thought it was a good thing that Rousseau's "general will" of the people suppresses freedom of opinion.

There is almost never clear evidence that a theory's predictions are false. You can always adjust something in the theory to make it come out true, and that is what all too many economists do.

Raico stresses that there was another tradition within classical-liberal thought, one that recognized the interdependence between religion and liberty.

The distinction between risk and uncertainty is a key tenet of the Austrian school. Mainstream neoclassicists reject it.

Tyrants inevitably work to destroy private associations. Such associations are outside of their control and are an alternative pole of allegiance, and therefore must be eliminated.

Economists who have written on punishment find Rothbard's “double restitution” idea puzzling, because they think about it only in terms of economic efficiency. But Rothbard's theory is based on a moral principle.

Economists who have written on punishment find Rothbard's “double restitution” idea puzzling, because they think about it only in terms of economic efficiency. But Rothbard's theory is based on a moral principle.

Human beings make choices based on their own personal goals and values. There is no way to recreate these conditions in a laboratory experiment.

In a free market, goods pass to those who are willing to pay the most to get them. A legal system that allows people to bid against each another for the goods they want displays equal concern for its citizens.

One of the standard criticisms of the free market point of view is that it treats individuals as isolated atoms who view other people only as means to the pursuit of their selfish ends.