This book argues for a comprehensive reframing of Friedrich Hayek, one of the most influential economic and social thinkers of the twentieth century. Its focus is on the role of legal philosophy and legislation in understanding Hayek's views on social and economic planning, and in particular his critique of socialism.
The book examines Hayek's later works on the shortcomings of legislation as the primary political tool used by governments to coerce otherwise free economic activity. It argues that Hayek's view of social and especially legal rules equates to a reformulation of his critique of planned economies, which has so far been understood in purely economic terms. The book argues that Hayek should be considered an important scholar in the realm of complexity theory, showing that his writing on intertwined legal and economic systems paved the way for a greater understanding of how individual agents and the 'spontaneous order' of the economy is inevitably regulated by the rational social order brought about by moral and legal rules and institutions. The book itself seeks to break the tradition of studying Hayek's work from isolated legal or economic lenses. This will be a valuable resource for scholars across the social sciences, including within economics, political science, law, complexity theory, and philosophy.
"Holm's goal is to clarify and assess F. A. Hayek's critique of legislation. The author knows the extant literature intimately and brings an interdisciplinary sensibility to his task. The result is a carefully-argued and original contribution to Hayekian studies. "
-Bruce Caldwell
, Research Professor of Economics, Director, Center for the History of Political Economy, Duke University, USA and the author of
Hayek's Challenge
and
Hayek: A Life
"This book is an in-depth treatment of F. A. Hayek's incomparable 20th Century contributions to the study of rules, order, and economy."
-Vernon Smith
, Professor of Economics and Law at Chapman University, USA, and 2002 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics
This book argues for a comprehensive reframing of Friedrich Hayek, one of the most influential economic and social thinkers of the twentieth century. Its focus is on the role of legal philosophy and legislation in understanding Hayek's views on social and economic planning, and in particular his critique of socialism.
The book examines Hayek's later works on the shortcomings of legislation as the primary political tool used by governments to coerce otherwise free economic activity. It argues that Hayek's view of social and especially legal rules equates to a reformulation of his critique of planned economies, which has so far been understood in purely economic terms. The book argues that Hayek should be considered an important scholar in the realm of complexity theory, showing that his writing on intertwined legal and economic systems paved the way for a greater understanding of how individual agents and the 'spontaneous order' of the economy is inevitably regulated by the rational social order brought about by moral and legal rules and institutions. The book itself seeks to break the tradition of studying Hayek's work from isolated legal or economic lenses.
Cyril Holm
is an Associate Professor of Law at Karlstad University, Sweden. His academic background is in economics, the history of science and legal philosophy, the latter of which is currently his primary research interest. He has teaching and research experience at the interface of law, economics, complexity theory, technology and future studies.
