Freedom Circle logo
Freedom Circle

Where Can You Find Freedom Today?

Research and education in classical liberalism, libertarian political theory, and Austrian School of economics
See also:
  • FreedomPedia
  • Mises Institute

    The Mises Institute, short name for Ludwig von Mises Institute for Austrian Economics, is a tax-exempt educational organization located in Auburn, Alabama. It is named after Austrian School economist Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973). Its website states that it is exists to promote "teaching and research in the Austrian school of economics, and individual freedom, honest history, and international peace, in the tradition of Ludwig von Mises and Murray N. Rothbard."

    Address

    Auburn, Alabama

    Awards Granted

    2000 Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize, The Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize, 28 Jan 2000
    Congratulations to RALPH RAICO, the winner of the Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Cause of Liberty ... Professor Raico was a 17-year-old high school student when he first knocked on Ludwig von Mises's door. He studied economics at Mises's famed New York seminar, learned German upon his advice, and translated Mises's Liberalism into English. Raico became a close friend and colleague of Murray Rothbard, and took his PhD at the University of Chicago under the tutelage of F.A. Hayek.
    Related Topic: Ralph Raico
    2001 Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize, The Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize, 28 Sep 2001
    The 2001 Schlarbaum Laureate is Antony G. N. Flew, emeritus professor of philosophy at the University of Reading, England. ... He has been a leading light in British philosophy for the past half-century. Throughout his long career, he has stressed conceptual clarity in philosophy and has resolutely defended human freedom against its detractors ... Flew has taught at universities all over the world, including England, Scotland, Australia, the United States, and Canada ... Among the many subjects he has philosophically illuminated are psychoanalysis, psychical research, crime, and evolutionary ethics.
    2003 Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize, The Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize, 2003
    Related Topic: Ron Paul
    The Gary G. Schlarbaum Prize
    For lifetime defense of liberty, given annually 1999 - 2013, $10,000 and a medallion, to a public intellectual or distinguished scholar.

    Staff and Associates

    Jeff DeistPresident, 2014-present
    Lew RockwellFounder and CEO

    Faculty

    Charles AdamsAdjunct Scholar (-2012)
    Dominick T. ArmentanoAssociated Scholar
    James T. BennettAssociated Scholar
    Bruce L. BensonAssociated Scholar
    Walter BlockSenior Fellow
    Donald J. BoudreauxAdjunct Faculty (-2005)
    Thomas DiLorenzoSenior Fellow
    Williamson EversAdjunct Faculty (-2006)
    Bettina Bien GreavesAssociated Scholar
    Robert HiggsSenior Fellow
    Roderick T. LongSenior Fellow
    Ron PaulSenior Fellow
    Ralph RaicoSenior Fellow
    George ReismanAssociated Scholar
    Joseph SalernoSenior Fellow
    Butler ShafferAssociated Scholar
    Mark ThorntonSenior Fellow
    Leland B. YeagerAssociated Scholar

    Websites

    Mises.org - Mises Institute
    Website sections include Power and Market (blog), Mises Wire (news and opinion), article, literature and media library, online learning academy, events and store

    Articles

    Block Attacks Rockwell for 'Extremism', by Walter Block, 28 Jul 2006
    A tongue-in-cheek commentary by Block on Rockwell's "The Real Cause of Blackouts" (27 July 2006) about California and New York blackouts and his demand for privatizing utilities
    It is no wonder that the Mises Institute is not popular with the beltway crowd. It is easy to understand why those associated with this organization are not regularly interviewed by the New York Times, and do not regularly appear on major network television. It is totally comprehensible that this group limps along with an extremely (get that!?! poetic justice, here) small budget, compared to other "free market" think tanks that have caved in, no, no, I meant, taken on a more moderate position. It is all because of Rockwell's unmitigated disaster of an extremist policy!
    A Call to Activism, by Margit von Mises, The Free Market, Jun 1984
    Speech delivered on 27 Feb 1984 at a Mises Institute dinner in her honor; relates how she wrote My Years With Ludwig von Mises, then calling her late husband an "activist of the mind" and encouraging others to become likewise
    [T]hink of Lew Rockwell and the Ludwig von Mises Institute, which in a very short time has attracted 14,000 contributors, begun an extensive teaching, fellowship, and publications program, held a very successful conference on the gold standard in Washington, DC, and become integrated with Auburn University ... I can see more universities asking the ... Institute for assistance in choosing professors to teach the economics of the free market. And I can see ... establishment of fellowships to permit young journalists to enjoy a full year of study in Austrian economics ...
    How Empires Bamboozle the Bourgeoisie, by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr., Mises Daily, 28 Oct 2006
    Speech at the Mises Institute Supporter's Summit; comments on two issues related to the U.S. population reaching 300 million: what kind of economy is needed to support that population and do all these people need to live under the same central government
    Why is it then that the Mises Institute is nearly alone in championing such a policy? After all, it is part of the conventional apparatus of received opinion in this country that people who love free enterprise also love war, while those who love peace are also friendly to socialism and people-impoverishing ideologies like environmentalism. Why is it that the Mises Institute position on this is so rare? ... And today we stand out among institutions for upholding this ideal. And yes, this opinion is still rare ... Never has the work of the Mises Institute been more essential.
    The life and times of Murray N. Rothbard, by Jim Powell
    Full title: The life and times of Murray N. Rothbard, who showed why private individuals can do just about everything that needs to be done
    Lengthy biographical essay
    In 1982, Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr., who had worked for Arlington House Publishers, founded the Ludwig von Mises Institute, now affiliated with Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. He persuaded Rothbard to become vice president for academic affairs. He provided Rothbard with research support, and Rothbard taught at Mises Institute seminars. Rothbard edited The Review of Austrian Economics, the first journal which focused on Austrian economics. Rothbard contributed essays to the Mises Institute's monthly newsletter Free Market. They covered a wide range of topical issues.
    Rothbard, Murray (1926-1995), by Brian Doherty, The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism, 15 Aug 2008
    Biographical and bibliographical essay
    In 1982, Rothbard became vice president for academic affairs at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, formed by former Ron Paul staff member Llewellyn Rockwell, Jr. The Mises Institute became Rothbard's main berth for activism and movement education during the remainder of his life. Under the auspices of the Mises Institute, in 1985 Rothbard founded and edited an academic journal dedicated to Austrian economics research, The Review of Austrian Economics, which he edited until his death.
    Von Mises Finds A Sweet Home In Alabama, by Kyle Wingfield, The Wall Street Journal, 11 Aug 2006
    Describes the Mises Institute, its location, its programs, faculty and students, including comments from Jeffrey Tucker (then a vice president at the institute) and Italian scholar Alberto Mingardi
    [My] acquaintances had spent time at the Ludwig von Mises Institute, an unaffiliated think tank located just off-campus [of Auburn University] that preaches the works of Friedrich Hayek, Murray Rothbard and other economists from the Austrian School — including, of course, the institute's namesake ... [The] Institute opened its doors [in 1982], publishing free-market texts in a variety of languages and drawing scholars for research sabbaticals and formal programs such as its week-long Mises University every summer ... [It] counts free-marketers from more than 30 states and at least 23 countries among its faculty.
    Why Be An Economist? To Be Happy, That's Why, by Walter Block, Mises Daily, 21 Dec 2006
    Block contrasts his recommendations to students interested in economics (getting a PhD. and becoming a professor or similar career) vs. advice from another professor (majoring in economics and finance with a view towards a finance career)
    Take the Mises Institute as a case in point. Yes, it has attracted quite a number of world class Austro-libertarian scholars. But there is also an entirely different cast of financial supporters who work behind the scenes to make the Mises Institute as it is presently constituted possible. Those, preeminently businessmen, are also responsible for the great success of the Institute. So, why do I not join my colleague in recommending finance and ... a career in business ..., so that, eventually, they too can contribute financially to groups like the Mises Institute?
    The Wisdom of LeFevre, by Lew Rockwell, The Free Market, Jul 2001
    Discusses various aspects of LeFevre's thoughts, e.g., the distinction between true and artificial government, patriotism, and includes excerpts from a draft new Declaration of Independence
    The Mises Institute is honored and thrilled to be entrusted with the literary legacy of Robert LeFevre and the Freedom School, and grateful to Ross and Charlotte Anderson for making it possible. There are 10,000 books, and among the papers are transcripts of lectures by many giants of the libertarian cause, Mises among them. What a collection it is. Come visit us in Auburn and see the new Freedom School. Here is one piece of his legacy.

    Reviews

    Radicals for Capitalism: A Freewheeling History of the Modern American Libertarian Movement, by David Gordon, The Mises Review, Dec 2007
    Critical and (self-admittedly) "unfair review" of Brian Doherty's Radicals for Capitalism (2007)
    [O]ne cannot much fault Doherty when he says:
    These days, war revisionism is ignored by most mainstream libertarian institutions. Arguing against the Leviathan state seems far enough beyond the pale ... Nowadays, only some writers associated with the Ludwig von Mises Institute and and the libertarian-run website Antiwar.com are apt to link libertarianism and revisionism. (p. 63)
    ... What exactly counts as a "mainstream" libertarian organization? Doherty keeps his criteria of selection to himself nor does he tell us why the Mises Institute fails to meet them.

    Interviews

    Do You Consider Yourself a Libertarian?, by Lew Rockwell, Kenny Johnsson, 25 May 2007
    Interview by Kenny Johnsson for the short-lived "The Liberal Post" blog; topics discussed include libertarianism, statism, war, elections, taxes, anarchism and the U.S. Constitution
    Johnsson: How did the Mises Institute get started?
    Rockwell: I founded the Mises Institute in 1982 in cooperation with Mises's widow Margit. The idea was to provide an infrastructure of support for Misesian thought, primarily in economics but also in other areas. Rothbard was an enormous help. We ended up as his main publisher at a time when others found him to be too radical, just as people found Mises to be too radical. The Mises Institute is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It has become a major force in the world of ideas. I'm thrilled at the progress we've made.
    Faculty Spotlight Interview: Jeff Riggenbach, by Jeff Riggenbach, 18 Mar 2010
    Topics discussed include Austrian economics, the Mises Institute, the people who inspired Riggenbach, alternate career paths, hobbies, his book Why American History is Not What They Say and revisionist history
    What drew you to the Austrian school and the Ludwig von Mises institute?
    ... After 9-11, ... while most of ... of the United States, including much of the libertarian movement, became crazed by war fever, the Mises Institute stood resolute and unyielding in its devotion to the Rothbardian view of war, peace, and the State ... I began visiting the Mises.org website ... I learned that the ... Institute is one of the most important institutions of the modern libertarian movement, especially in its devotion to the task of keeping libertarians conversant with and dedicated to ... the "plumb line"—the basic, underlying principles of libertarianism.
    Faculty Spotlight Interview: Wendy McElroy, by Wendy McElroy, 3 Feb 2011
    Asks McElroy about her hobbies, Murray Rothbard, the Mises Institute, Benjamin Tucker, Auberon Herbert, libertarianism and the feminist movement and her advice for future Austrian scholars
    What drew you to the Austrian school and to the Ludwig von Mises Institute?
    I was drawn to both by the inimitable economist and historian Murray Rothbard ... [T]he Mises Institute had the immediate appeal of being home to Murray; and, where the 'bow tie' went, a lot of us followed. Mises also had (and has) the rare talents of Lew Rockwell, who combines an eloquent understanding of the ideas with unusual administrative skill. This makes for a principled and well-oiled institute. I do not always agree with those principles–for example, I am adamantly anti-voting–but Mises has always tolerated such disagreements.

    Publications

    The Austrian
    Bi-monthly
    The Austrian is unapologetically radical and politically incorrect. Each issue features provocative articles by cutting-edge libertarian and Austrian thinkers, conversational interviews with leading business people and intellectual entrepreneurs, reviews by David Gordon, and cultural commentary by guest writers. It is published six times a year and replaces The Free Market (1983–2013).
    The Free Market
    Monthly
    The Free Market [was] the monthly newsletter of the Mises Institute featuring articles of application of the Austrian and market viewpoint.
    The Journal of Libertarian Studies
    Scholarly journal about libertarianism, founded by Murray Rothbard in 1977, published by the Center for Libertarian Studies until 2000 and then by the Mises Institute, until 2007 and additional issues in 2011, 2019 and 2020
    The Journal of Libertarian Studies was founded by Murray N. Rothbard in 1977 and is the premiere venue for the advancement of liberterianism, anarcho-capitalism, the individualist society, and non-interventionism as the first principle of political theory and practice.
    Related Topic: Libertarianism
    Mises Daily
    Daily
    The Mises Daily presents relevant short articles from the perspective of an unfettered free market and Austrian economics. Written for a broad audience of laymen and students, the Mises Daily features a wide variety of topics including everything from the history of the state, to international trade, to drug prohibition, and business cycles.

    Books

    Ludwig von Mises: Scholar, Creator, Hero, by Murray N. Rothbard, 1988
    Partial contents: The Young Scholar - The Theory of Money and Credit - The Reception of Mises and of Money and Credit - Mises in the 1920s: Economic Adviser to the Government - Mises in the 1920s: Scholar and Creator
    [T]he Ludwig von Mises Institute was formed in 1982 ... Through an annual scholarly journal, The Review of Austrian Economics, a quarterly Austrian Economics Newsletter, a monthly periodical The Free Market, a growing publication program of books, occasional papers, and working papers, annual instructional seminars, policy conferences, numerous non-residential graduate fellowships, and resident fellowships at Auburn University and other universities across the country, the Mises Institute has finally established Austrianism not only as a viable new paradigm for economics but as truly Austrian.
    • ISBN 9999827659: Paperback, Ludwig von Mises Institute, First edition, 1988

    Books Published

    Antitrust: The Case for Repeal
        by Dominick T. Armentano, Mises Institute, Apr 1999
    Partial contents: The Antitrust Assault on Microsoft - The Case Against Antitrust Policy - Competition and Monopoly: Theory and Evidence - Barriers to Entry - Price Discrimination and Vertical Agreements - Horizontal Agreements: Mergers and Price Fixing
    For a New Liberty, For a New Liberty, 2006
    For a New Liberty, For a New Liberty, 20 Nov 2020
    Human Action, Human Action, 1998
    Human Action, Human Action, 29 Nov 2010
    Man, Economy, and State, Man, Economy, and State, 2009
    The Politics of Obedience: The Discourse of Voluntary Servitude
        by Harry Kurz (translator), Étienne de La Boétie, Murray N. Rothbard (introduction), Mises Institute, Discourse on Voluntary Servitude, 4 May 2015
    Speaking of Liberty
        by Lew Rockwell, Mises Institute, Dec 2003
    Partial contents: Economics: The Marvel That Is Capitalism - Why Austrian Economics Matters - War: Free Trade versus War - Ludwig von Mises: Mises and Liberty - Ideas: An American Classical Liberalism - The Sinful State - Interviews and Tributes
    Related Topic: Liberty
    What Every Investor Should Know About Austrian Economics and the Hard Money Movement
        by Mark Skousen, Mises Institute, 1988
    Pamphlet size; published by LvMI (1988) and FEE (1995) and now a chapter in A Viennese Waltz Down Wall Street (2013)
    In addition to the gold standard, the hard-money camp also has an ideological foundation in free-market Austrian economics.
    Related Topic: Austrian Economics
    • ISBN 1572460512: Paperback, Foundation for Econ Education, 2nd edition, 1995

    Videos


    A Five Minute Tour of the Mises Institute, by Mark Thornton, The Motorhome Diaries, 15 Jul 2009
    Mark provides a tour and brief history of the institute to the Motorhome Diaries crew

    Videos


    Money, Banking and the Federal Reserve, by Mises Institute, Ron Paul, Lew Rockwell, Murray N. Rothbard, Joseph Salerno, 1996
    Explains the origins of money and banking, how and why the Federal Reserve was created and the effects it has had on society. Dedicated to Murray Rothbard.

    The introductory paragraph uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mises Institute" as of 12 Jul 2018, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.