The Anti-Capitalistic Mentality Paperback – November 13, 2011

Over fifty years ago, the famous economist whose career "showed that government intervention is always destructive," penned The Anti-capitalistic Mentality. This short book marked his official venture into psychology. We should be grateful today for its insight. His deconstruction of those opposed to free markets indicates that he had a far better understanding of humanity than do the majority of psychologists.What impresses most about The Anti-capitalistic Mentality is just how prescient a work it is. The failures of socialism were evident in the 1950s but not as glaring as they are in 2008. Yet this truth does not prevent our politicians from continuing to push for more and more government expansion. The concomitant disruption and diminution of the private sector is discounted entirely. The experiences of Soviet Russia, the Warsaw Pact countries, and the vivid and ongoing failures of communist starvation zones like Cuba and North Korea are pooh-poohed by those desirous of further empowering the Leviathan. In light of what America has become, Von Mises' elucidation of the enemies of capitalism is more pertinent than ever.It is the common man who benefits most from capitalism. He profits from those who save, who invest, and who engage in entrepreneurial activities. These individuals expand the economy, elevate wages, and employ him directly. More importantly, there are no structural barriers which prevent him from joining the ranks of such persons.In the final analysis, to hate capitalism is to hate liberty as only within the framework of personal choice can one choose an education, a vocation, and course of life that suits them. The laissez-faire philosophy is what put an end to slavery and serfdom. Nobody born poor in a free society is destined to poverty. How ironic it is that so many anti-capitalists describe themselves as being "liberal" when there is nothing liberal about stealing the dreams and futures of those you regard as nothing more than wards or mascots.Psychologizing proved a very elementary feat for Ludwig von Mises. His deconstruction and refutation of the anti-capitalist outlook was a noble undertaking. He flamboyantly paraded its irrationality for all to see over fifty years ago, but it is now up to us to popularize his forgotten, but exquisite, argumentation.

Very interesting

The editor tells us the book is a study of "why so many persons are anti-capitalists and as a result are attracted to socialism and communism". He also says the book deals with "the ideas and opinions and psychological reasons of people for acting". Mises (1881-1973) was the leading spokesman of the Austrian school, the subjective-value marginal-utility theory of economics. He fled to the U.S. during W.W.II and spent the rest of his life here. This was written in the 50's, although it feels as if it was written today, only now the condition is more wide spread. Mises saw these conditions and mind-sets clearly in its early stages. Did we hear him? Mises says "it is the task of this essay to analyze this anti-capitalistic bias and to disclose its roots and its consequences".This thesis deals with the philosophy, sociology, and mentality of the man, driven by envy and hatred, who despises the rich and our free market capitalism. I was surprisingly pleased that it was clear, concise, and very readable. Mises delivers good arguments refuting the critics.Mises helped clear up some confusion on why wealthy individuals (not always the ignorant masses) succumb to a socialistic-communist mentality even though their wealth came from a capitalistic society. The effects of this mentality run much deeper than you would have thought. An illusion has been created; and how apropos for today. But we can prevent this enslavement by an "open and unrestricted support of laissez-faire capitalism". There are no mincing of words, it is either or (capitalism or socialism), or interventionism, for "a man who publicly talks or writes about the opposition between capitalism and socialism without having fully familiarized himself with all that economics has to say about these issues is an irresponsible babbler"."....the immense majority of the socialist intellectuals were convinced that in fighting for socialism they were fighting for freedom. They called themselves left-wingers and democrats, and nowadays they are even claiming for themselves the epithet 'liberal'"Wish you wellScott

This book is almost pure conjecture but it doesn't matter. It's a tiny little book, but the words pack a powerful punch. Von Mises may be speculating but when you are as smart as he is, and as familiar with the mindset from which "The Anti-Capitalist Mentality" evolved, you tend to see where he is coming from. It becomes easier and easier to support his statements. The question is, can this book help you to understand where communists/socialists/progressives are coming from? The answer is yes. Systematically, he takes the thought processes back into Freudian obscurity, borrowing some of the fellow Austrian's explanation as to why it is difficult for those who see capitalism as a threat, who fear being personally responsible for their lot in life. This also contains fascinating studies about Lenin, and his approach to Marxism. When you see these former Soviet leaders for what they really were, they become as common as the next person. Where I may have had respect for Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin as historical figures, I no longer think that they had an ounce of respectability, nobility, or courage to do the things they did. These were not revolutionaries, but very very unprincipled thinkers, unintellectual, and very confused due to lack of experience and closed mindedness. In one part, Von Mises tells the story of how Lenin assumed the economy was a simple game which could be easily undertaken by "bean-counters." Lenin's revile for accountants and economists make him a tragically stupid figure in world history. Basically he was all bark and no bight. He knew political philosophy, strategy, persuasion, and could lead the military, but was never really a viable candidate to run a large country.

This is a stunning, unapologetic defence of capitalism. Mises identifies, in my view correctly, the accumulation of private capital as the mechanism by which we have all become rich beyond the wildest dreams of our feudal forebears. He points out various reasons why capitalism is unpalatable to many bien pensants, but explains why this amounts to saying that capitalism is not as good as some sort of utopian society that in practice we can never enjoy.I was particularly struck by how many of the arguments in this book echo passages in Michael Young's 'The Rise of the Meritocracy'. Young's book explains how a society in which one's status was fixed by one's ability to contribute would be psychologically intolerable. Mises' book explains that a society unlike that dooms us to poverty relative to what could be produced in a truly capitalist one.Mises is ruthless in dismissing the idea of any kind of 'Third Way' or 'mixed economy' in which some of means of production may be collectively owned. I think in this he may have slightly overstated the case, but much less so than those who argue that or currently levels of public ownership and control doesn't cost very much in terms of lost production.This is a short book, passionately argued by a true libertarian. Even if you don't think you will agree with anything in it, I urge you to read the book to understand the core ideas behind libertarianism.

Everybody who has worked in a public service will understand where this man is coming from. I've heard colleagues say that they are superior to others who work in private industry because they are 'helping people' rather than looking for a profit. At the same time I noticed that they are pretty interested in how much they earn and have been known to go on strike in order to force the government to pay them more.I'd also like to point out that the book is short and clear.

Ludwig von Mises is certainly one of the greatest economists that ever lived. In this little booklet he goes beyond econimics and explores the reasons why, despite its obvious shortcomings and inhumane outcomes, socialism contiues to exude an irresistable appeal to so many people.And I for one think he nails it.

As others have said, it is more a stirring polemic than a piece of serious analysis. Plenty of holes can be torn in it. However, it's always interesting and does make some forceful points, and the psychology of leftism is relatively little discussed. I'm glad to have bought it.

Essential reading for anyone who wants to become socially and economically literate.