Which Austrian Economist are you most influenced by? What books/writings do you like about your most influential Austrian economist?
It is hard to choose… choices seem endless, from Menger, to Bawerk, Mises, Rothbard, Hayek, Murphy, Block… etc
I used to be big on Rothbard, but now I see Mises as having had the greatest influence. Bob Murphy’s Chaos Theory (along with Molineux’s Practical anarchy) convinced me to enter the insurance industry, thus, practically, Bob has had the greatest influence on me.
Hayek
On a whole, Rothbard, and Ron Paul for leading me to AE. Special proto-Austrian, Bastiat. Went back through The Law recently and it never gets old.
I’ve barely scratched the surface of the Austrian library, but I’d say Mises and Kirzner have had the greatest influence on how I view economics and the market process.
von Mises… Especially Human Action, which was the first book I read after I was introduced to this site by a friend.
Although his much less well-known Anti-Capitalistic Mentality really helped me understand the Dark Side. It’s not a work of economics, per se, but it really helped me understand the method behind economic madness.
In terms of actual anarchism, it has to be Rothbard. The man must have never stopped writing and lecturing in his whole life. Everything (correct) that’s posted here was probably said or written by Rothbard at some point…
Hoppe for me.
A theory of socialism and capitalism is simply brilliant.
I can’t wait for his magnum opus, which is supposed to be out sometime in next year or two.
I would say Mises or Rothbard, but when I think about I see it is Hayek my biggest influence, since his arguments on the information and calculation problem are the ones I consider the most solid ones to refute socialism.
Hoppe. The guy is so methodical. I love it (, usually).
Mises by a far margin.
Thus far, Mises by a long shot. Schumpeter is pretty tops as well.
Rothbard was my first exposure to anarchy. Before reading the details, Murphy helped me to understand. Long helped me to remain compassionate. On economics, Hayek and Kirzner, although I also owe to Garrison my first exposure to ABCT.
Walter Block was first for me, then Rothbard, but then I read more and I realized how philosophically influential Mises is for me. I now reject a lot of Rothbard’s political theory, though I adore how simplistic and clear Man, Economy, and State as a treatise.
I went to Loyola New Orleans for music business and quickly changed majors to finance and economics… I was unaware of the Austrian leanings (In fact I was unaware of an Austrian School)… Walter Block and Bill Barnetts classes are they only reason I am here. They caught me when I was young and naive and brainwashed me to whole heartedly believe Austrian theories and libertarian philosophy. Strange to think where I would be and what I would believe had I not sort of happened upon them.
I met Block at a seminar… he is a really cool guy… his ideas are very interesting, and i think I might like him the most as far as ‘‘modern’’ Austrian economists… I also like Murphy, you have to give Robert Murphy props for challenging Paul Krugman…
Hazlitt was the first austrian author i read but Mises is definitely a big influence… When I first started to study Austrian Economics, reading a lot of Mises, made me a classical liberal, it was not until I started to read Defending the Undefendable by Block and Murphy’s writings where I preferred anarchy.
That’s really difficult to determine. Each one has provided another layer and refinement. I think it’s fair to say that Mises was the most influential because he influenced those who followed him. You could say the same thing about Rothbard. Picking a favorite though isn’t all that easy.
Mises - Sets a very high bar for everyone else to follow.
Rothbard - I especially like his works on history. I also favor his ancap position.
Block - Entertaining to say the least. Willing to debate anyone, anywhere.
Woods - Decent speaker and a good read. Supplements the Rothbard historical material well.
Hoppe - Continues Rothbard’s work in the area of ancap.
There are others that add their own contribution to the total body of work. And I don’t always agree with every postion made by anyone - or I’ll at least try and figure it out for myself rather than take their word for it.
My first exposure was Jesús Huerta de Soto’s Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles, and I have always considered Huerta de Soto (btw, “Huerta de Soto” is his full paternal surname; “de Soto” is not correct) as a role model to emulate. However, since then I have come some ways and in regards to banking theory George Selgin heavily influenced me with his The Theory of Free Banking. However, of all economists, I have to say that Ludwig von Mises by a long shot is my main influence. I am re-reading Human Action right now, and I’m still amazed at just how clear his exposition is and how little he leaves uncertain. I don’t think there is a scholar of his quality within Austrian circles since his death, and that is a compliment for Mises given the vast knowledge and intellect controlled by most Austrian academics.
But, it’s still early and I have much to read, so who knows who will be my main influence later on.
Hayek’s Individualism and Economic Order (or Schumpeter, but he is an AE in a different sense).
Right now it’s a toss up between Rothbard and Woods. Woods is a funny guy, and his lectures are very interesting. Rothbard’s writing is very clear despite incorporating a lot of material.
Then again, I’ve read very little compared to most here so I’m sure my influences will change over the next year or two.
Hoppe probably but I’d like to add Hulsmann into the mix purely for his scourging of anything resembling consequentialist or anti-realist conceptions i.e his contribution to the ABCT and equilibrium theory.