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[Excerpted from an edited transcript of “Ideology and Theories of History,” the first in a series of six lectures, given in 1986, on the history of economic thought.] The orthodox historiography of economic thought starts as follows: There were a bunch of mercantilists running around, talking about specific things like sugar. Should the government

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought , vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith . An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .] The Man There is a custom in chess tournaments to award “brilliancy” prizes for particularly resplendent victories. “Brilliancy” games are

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought, vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith . An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .]   The prince of proto-Keynesian money cranks, both theorist and activist, was John Law of Lauriston (1671–1729). Son of James Law, a

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought , vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith (1995). An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .]   Charles, the third Viscount Townshend (1700–1764), has been shamefully neglected by virtually all historians of economic thought.

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought , vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith (1995). An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .]   Most people, economists and laymen alike, think that economics sprang full blown, so to speak, from the head of Adam Smith in the

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought , vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith (1995). An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .]   The first self-conscious school of economic thought developed in France shortly after the publication of Cantillon’s Essai . They

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought , vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith (1995). An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .]   Not only were the physiocrats generally consistent advocates of laissez-faire, but they also supported the operation of a free

[Excerpted from An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought, vol. 1, Economic Thought Before Adam Smith (1995). An MP3 audio file of this article, read by Jeff Riggenbach, is available for download .]   Natural-rights, laissez-faire libertarians always confront several problems or lacunae in their theory. One is taxation. If every

[ The Libertarian Forum, December 1974 .]   It is indeed a pleasure to have the opportunity to honor Henry Hazlitt on his 80th birthday (November 28). One of the most distinguished and productive economists, writers, and intellectuals in this country, Hazlitt at 80 looks and acts a full 20 years younger. A remarkable combination of a brilliant and

[From WIN: Peace and Freedom through Nonviolent Action (March 1, 1971)]   Recently, a bewildering and seemingly new phenomenon has burst upon the public consciousness, “right-wing libertarianism.” While earlier forms of the movement received brief and scornful attention by professional “extremist”-baiting liberals, present attention is, almost