Murray Rothbard Books

"Few economists manage to produce a body of work that boasts a serious following twenty years after their deaths. Murray N. Rothbard is a rare exception. More than two decades since his passing, his influence lives on, both in the work of a new generation of social scientists, and among a growing number of the general public. One reason for Rothbard's continuing popularity is his ability to reach across disciplines, and to connect them. This book provides a window into the brilliance of Rothbard's achievements in the social sciences, humanities, and beyond ..."--Back cover

In recent years, libertarian impulses have increasingly influenced national and economic debates, from welfare reform to efforts to curtail affirmative action. Murray N. Rothbard's classicThe Ethics of Libertystands as one of the most rigorous and philosophically sophisticated expositions of the libertarian political position.What distinguishes Rothbard's book is the manner in which it roots the case for freedom in the concept of natural rights and applies it to a host of practical problems. An economist by profession, Rothbard here proves himself equally at home with philosophy. And while his conclusions are radical--that a social order that strictly adheres to the rights of private property must exclude the institutionalized violence inherent in the state--his applications of libertarian principles prove surprisingly practical for a host of social dilemmas, solutions to which have eluded alternative traditions.The Ethics of Libertyauthoritatively established the anarcho-capitalist economic system as the most viable and the only principled option for a social order based on freedom. This edition is newly indexed and includes a new introduction that takes special note of the Robert Nozick-Rothbard controversies.

Murray Rothbard, a pivotal figure in the American libertarian movement, explores the concept of "anarcho-capitalism," advocating for a society free from government control. He argues that the coercive nature of government is the greatest threat to individual liberty and societal welfare, labeling it a "gang of thieves writ large." Rothbard builds on the Austrian School's idea of spontaneous order, asserting that all services currently monopolized by the state could be more efficiently delivered by the private sector, promoting a vision of a truly free market.

In this, the first of two volumes, Murray Rothbard - one of the major figures in twentieth-century Austrian economics - argues with clarity and force that economics is a deductive science based on the fundamental realities of action, scarcity and the passage of time. Such conviction is demonstrated in the first part of this book, where Professor Rothbard analyses method. The second part focuses on some of the theoretical debates within the Austrian school, including property and justice rights, welfare economics, value and efficiency. In the third section Rothbard considers the Austrian approach to money and calculation, including discussion of the definition of the supply of money, freely floating exchange rates and calculation and its role under socialism. This latest volume of Murray Rothbard's work goes some way to represent the important contributions he made to the field. The second volume of Murray Rothbard's essays on Austrian economics is also available.

LARGE PRINT EDITION! More at LargePrintLiberty.com Here is the last masterpiece by Murray N. Rothbard (1926-1995), the result of a lifetime of research and his crowning achievement.This volume is the first comprehensive treatment of classical economics from a modern Austrian perspective, an important history of nineteenth-century economic thought that discusses the key members of each school and reassesses their work.Professor Rothbard's approach offers new perspectives on both Ricardo and Say and their followers. He suggests that Ricardianism declined after 1820 and was only revived with the work of John Stuart Mill. The book also resurrects the important Anglo-Irish school of thought at Trinity College, Dublin under Archbishop Richard Whatley. Later chapters focus on the roots of Karl Marx and the nature of his doctrines, and laissez-faire thought in France including the work of Frederic Bastiat.Also included is a comprehensive treatment of the bullionist versus the anti-bullionist and the currency versus banking school controversies in the first half of the nineteenth century, and their influence outside Great Britain.

This book provides a critical examination of business cycle theory, exploring the underlying causes of economic fluctuations, such as booms and busts. It discusses various strategies and options available to mitigate these cycles, offering insights into economic stability and policy interventions. The analysis aims to deepen understanding of economic dynamics and provide practical solutions for managing economic volatility.

The Evidence of Things Not Seen is the award-winning autobiography from one of Britain's finest mountaineering writers. In it, W.H. Murray recounts his early climbs in Scotland, involvement in WWII, his important exploratory climbs in the Himalaya and on Everest and his environmental concerns back home in Scotland.

The book features a collection of various topics or themes, organized into distinct sections or chapters. Each segment offers insights, discussions, or narratives that contribute to a broader understanding of the subject matter. The arrangement allows readers to easily navigate through the material, making it accessible and engaging. Expect a diverse range of content that caters to different interests and encourages exploration of the themes presented.

Exploring the evolution of money, Rothbard traces its journey from barter systems to the gold standard and modern paper currencies. He delves into the rationale behind gold as a preferred monetary commodity and discusses how the gold standard fosters economic stability through market forces. The author critiques the abandonment of the gold standard by European governments post-World War I, linking this decision to subsequent financial crises and suggesting it contributed to the onset of World War II and ongoing global economic issues.

This gives a succinct account of Rothbard’s view of the state. Following Franz Oppenheimer and Albert Jay Nock, Rothbard regards the state as a predatory entity. It does not produce anything but rather steals resources from those engaged in production. In applying this view to American history, Rothbard makes use of the work of John C. Calhoun.How can an organization of this type sustain itself? It must engage in propaganda to induce popular support for its policies. Court intellectuals play a key role here, and Rothbard cites as an example of ideological mystification the work of the influential legal theorist Charles Black, Jr., on the way the Supreme Court has become a revered institution.