Austrian studies of specific industries: Transportation?

Economics Economics Questions
1

Since Austrian economists tend to focus a lot on the basics of human action and economics, I was wondering if any of you know of more specialized studies into specific industries by Austrians. I am looking for the Austrian perspective of the broader transportation industry, and would love to see them take one issues like airlines’ capacity for profitability, why maritime transport can produce such spectacular profits, etc.

I’ve listed to some of the Mises U lectures on the IT business as it is related to Austrian concepts and would love to see something similar about transport.

2

Yes

Why would Austrians study these concrete subjects?

Austrians study private transportation.

Because of government-supported monopolies.

Because of government-supported monopolies.

They are too concrete.

Natural monopolies can exist on land.

3

Well there isn’t anything wrong with Austrians focusing on empirical or highly specialized work. Dr Block has tons of case studies on his website. I think he might have some work on transportation cited as well; maybe a good idea would be to e-mail him, as I am sure he could point the OP in the right direction.

4

Inquisitor,

Thanks for the heads up. Unofortunately I am unfamiliar with Dr.Block- Could you provide me with some more details-URL, papers, etc.?

Thanks again!

5

He’s one of the major Austrian economists. Here’s his website:

http://www.walterblock.com/

It contains publications of his etc.