Mises’ Monetary Argument in Economic Calculation Debate: Cross the Ts and dot the Is
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52195/pm.v15i1.62Abstract
The central thesis of this paper is that Mises’ argument on the impossi- bility of economic calculation under non-monetary socialism is absolutely ade- quate and relevant. Both theoretical ideas and practical realization of socialism were focused on non-monetary socialism, which is the specific and only form of socialism. Lenin himself confirmed defeat in practical attempts to construct a non-monetary economy, and other socialist authors confirmed the futility of the attempts to find a non-monetary accounting unit for economic calculation. Re-evaluation of the results of economic calculation debates should refer to the incorrect line of argument of socialist authors. After Mises and Hayek presented arguments against any form of socialism, they were accused of retreating to an alternative line of defense. In fact, socialist authors have constantly mimicked and changed their lines of defense. The author hopes presenting this debate in the Austrian economic literature will be fruitful.
Keywords: Mises, Monetary Argument, Socialism, Economic Calculation Debate.
JEL Classification: B13, B14, B24, B25, P21, P24.
Resumen: La tesis central de este trabajo es que el argumento de Mises sobre la imposibilidad del cálculo económico bajo el socialismo no monetario es absolutamente adecuado y relevante. Tanto las ideas teóricas como la realiza- ción práctica del socialismo se centraron en esta forma específica y única. El mismo Lenin confirmó la derrota en intentos prácticos de construir una econo- mía no monetaria, y otros autores socialistas confirmaron la inutilidad de los intentos de encontrar una unidad contable no monetaria para el cálculo económico. La reevaluación de los resultados de los debates de cálculo econó- mico debe subrayar la argumentación incorrecta de los autores socialistas. Después de que Mises y Hayek presentaran argumentos en contra de cualquier forma de socialismo, fueron acusados de retirarse a una línea de defensa alter- nativa. De hecho, los autores socialistas han imitado y cambiado constante- mente las líneas de defensa. Será una forma fructífera de presentar el debate en la literatura económica austriaca.
Palabras clave: Mises, socialismo, argumento monetario, Debate del cálculo económico.
Clasificación JEL: B13, B14, B24, B25, P21, P24.
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