Economics Questions

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

hayekianxyz — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:05:13 GMT

eliotn:

GilesStratton:
As for Ron Paul, he's an anarchist.

Really? How do you know this?

It's a guess.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

nje5019 — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:02:41 GMT

GilesStratton:
But since somebody already did that I'd like to say that I'm not too sure if one truly can believe in, and understand, Austrian Economics whilst still believing in the viability of democracy, not without some serious doublethink going on anyway.

Oh, I totally agree with you on that, I just thought I'd make a point to illustrate the economics vs politics dichotomy that newcomers to Austrian Economics seem to often blur.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

nirgrahamUK — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:44:33 GMT

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

eliotn — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:36:03 GMT

GilesStratton:
As for Ron Paul, he's an anarchist.

Really? How do you know this?

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

hayekianxyz — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:26:45 GMT

blindmelon1091:
It is possible to beleive in free market, Austiran School principles as well as Democracy right? This is the foundation for people like Ron Paul and Peter Schiff, right?

I was going to give the standard "yes" and then elaborate upon value freedom. But since somebody already did that I'd like to say that I'm not too sure if one truly can believe in, and understand, Austrian Economics whilst still believing in the viability of democracy, not without some serious doublethink going on anyway.

As for Ron Paul, he's an anarchist.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

blindmelon1091 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:55:39 GMT

Thanks for clearing that up for me and all the great info ya'll have responded with. Please pardon my ingnorance, I am learning!

And I'm happy to be a new addition to this forum.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

nje5019 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:05:04 GMT

blindmelon1091:

It is possible to beleive in free market, Austiran School principles as well as Democracy right? This is the foundation for people like Ron Paul and Peter Schiff, right?

Yes. Austrianism is a school of economic thought. It's not about value judgements. It merely points out that government intervention in the economy will cause inefficiencies, corruption, and decreased standard of living for everyone. It doesn't say that those things are bad, that's a value judgement you have to make for yourself.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

blindmelon1091 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:54:04 GMT

It is possible to beleive in free market, Austiran School principles as well as Democracy right? This is the foundation for people like Ron Paul and Peter Schiff, right?

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

eliotn — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:11:07 GMT

blindmelon1091:
What form of government would AS economists most identify with?

Some Austrian Economists, like Ludwig Von Mises, would want a "night watchman state", or a minarchist government that only does essential things like defence, justice, and police. Others, like Murray N. Rothbard, would advocate the complete absence of a state, or "anarchy".

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

blindmelon1091 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:01:33 GMT

What form of government would AS economists most identify with?

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

Nick Ricci — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:39:16 GMT

I've noted that some libertarians like to replace Adam Smith with Turgot, who was an absolutist, in the founding myth of economics. Even among libertarians who accept the existence of the state, there is probably a preference for a sort of static, perfectible government rather than one that is constantly involved in evaluating claims and attempting to resolve disputes (or rather, there is a place for such a function, but it belongs to judges and not to legislators).

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

Solomon — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:39:03 GMT

blindmelon1091:
But the people lobbying for those regulations would represent wants of the people right?

People lobbying for regulations indicates their wants. If the state acts in their favor it will be at the expense of every one else.

blindmelon1091:
Just curious, why do you say that the AS epecially dislikes democracy?

A better question might be "why does anyone like democracy?", especially when all the arguments in favor of it are apparently crafted with the intent of being heard by eight year olds.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

Jordan — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:42:55 GMT

blindmelon1091:

Thanks for the info.

But the people lobbying for those regulations would represent wants of the people right?

Just curious, why do you say that the AS epecially dislikes democracy?

If they are trying to help the people, they are just misguided policy-wise.

And just because a majority wants to take coercive action, doesn't justify it.

Re: Austrian School view on progressivism in business

blindmelon1091 — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:29:03 GMT

Thanks for the info.

But the people lobbying for those regulations would represent wants of the people right?

Just curious, why do you say that the AS epecially dislikes democracy?