The Three Sources of Anti-Socialism: An Inquiry into the Normative Foundations of F.A. Hayek�s Politics.

Gallas, Alexander (2005) The Three Sources of Anti-Socialism: An Inquiry into the Normative Foundations of F.A. Hayek�s Politics. In: Perspectives on Moral Economy, 2005-08-25 - 2005-08-27. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Lenin once said that the three sources of Marxism were �German philosophy, English political economy, French socialism�. He thereby gave the mistaken impression that Marxist social theory was merely an eclectic mixture of incompatible approaches. It is not without irony that the spirit of Lenin�s bons mots in fact captures more accurately the thought of one of the most outspoken opponents of socialism, Friedrich A. Hayek. The normative dimension of Hayek�s work, as I will argue in my paper, is marked by an anti-socialist eclecticism that is grounded in an incoherent moral framework. His work draws on three sources of moral reasoning that deeply conflict with one another: (1) evolutionist relativism, (2) utilitarianism and (3) a Kantian conception of liberty. Hence he can be accused of attacking socialism whatever the costs � he tolerates fundamental inconsistencies in order to uphold his political position. This leads me to conclude that he fails to offer convincing justification of either the desirability of the neoliberal social order favoured by him, or the undesirability of socialism.

Item Type:
Contribution to Conference (Paper)
Journal or Publication Title:
Perspectives on Moral Economy
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/hm
Subjects:
?? hayek socialism neoliberalism moral philosophyhm sociology ??
ID Code:
267
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
29 Sep 2006
Refereed?:
No
Published?:
Unpublished
Last Modified:
27 Aug 2024 23:06