Series on Mises, Market Process and Socio-Cultural Changes. (Part 1

Abstract

This is the second in a multi-volume series devoted to the work of Ludwig von Mises. (The first was Block, 1992.) In the 'Scope' statement which sets out the philosophical vision of Cultural Dynamics, this journal announces its interest in 'theoretical ... studies that focus on dynamic aspects of socio-cultural phenomena, and (in) dynamic models and theories'. Elaborating upon this theme, the editors of Cultural Dynamics express interest in 'processes, changes, evolutions and histories of knowledge, social and cultural phenomena'. Among other traditions, they declare their intention 'to provide a forum for discussions about particular paradigms and theories whose focus it is to describe and model such phenomena' e.g. on 'praxeological ... theories'. It is my contention that Austrian economics in general,1 and the writings of Ludwig von Mises in particular, are paradigmatically suitable avenues of discourse for Cultural Dynamics. Austrianism is not for nothing known as the 'praxeological school', since it sees the study of economics as a chain of apodictic or necessary reasoning, starting from a few broad basic empirical generalizations.2 The Austrians are noteworthy for relegating static analysis to a minor footnote, and elevating process, or dynamics, to central stage, which is very much in keeping with the concerns of Cultural Dynamics.3 The present collection of papers is inclusive of the Austrian emphasis on praxeology and dynamics, but is by no means limited to these central concerns. Rather, these contributions range widely, and are representative of the broad range of Austrian economic interests. They are organized under three headings: methodology, macroeconomics and microeconomics.