Previously, I wrote about this topic, here.
Since then, several suggestions have come in over the transom to me. I pass them along to this list just as they have been sent to me, anonymously, as is my practice, with no commentary attached. Some of them, hopefully, will be of use to at least some viewers of this LRC blog. I am very grateful to the several people who wrote to me on this topic.
From: N
Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2019 6:08 AM
Subject: Responding to request for ideas for research
Dr. Block,
I have enjoyed consuming your work for years. My most sincere thank you for your seemingly endless efforts.
You requested input for research topics related to Libertarianism and Austrian Economics. This is in response to that request.
I think digital coins deserve (demand) detail technical analysis from an Austrian Economics perspective. I hear an endless barrage of claims regarding money theory that even a economics layman such as myself can identify as erroneous.
For example: Peter Schiff (and others) are endlessly claiming that since Bitcoin has no intrinsic value it cannot be a currency or store of value (fingernails on a blackboard for my ears). I believe Mises would disagree with this thinking.
The Bitcoin conversations are all oriented around claims that it cannot possibly work or that it is a given that it will work and take over the world.
It seems that a re-examination of the various Austrian theory regarding money is in order now that “Bitcoin” has established a new player with new characteristics on the money scene.
Lots of thoughts and opinions on digital currency are available and there is nothing wrong with that. But I have been generally disappointed in the lack of technical work being produced on this topic by the Austrian Economics world. I would think this topic would provide tons of raw meat for young students with interest Austrian Economics. We are now ten years into this technology and I just do not see any real detail technical analysis from the Austrians?
I do note that “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous provides a start.
Hope this is constructive input.
Thanks,
N
From: D
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2019 12:18 PM
To: walter block <[email protected]>
Subject: Austrian research topics
For S and perhaps your “general” list:
I have not seen many Austrian oriented analysis of the intersection of international business such as:
World pricing signals (and the concomitant distortions by gov’t manipulated exchange rates)
Time preferences of different cultures
Comparative depressions (approaches, length, severity, recovery from) across cultures
Probably not for S, but topics I’m currently researching a few topics that look at the intersection of archetypal & analytical psychology and business. I presented a paper that explored one aspect of this at last years Libertarian Scholars Conference. Unfortunately, due to acceptance at another conference in Japan I am unable to submit for the 2019 conference:
Archetypes in the business firm or cycle
Market archetypes
Hope this helps,
D
From: B
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2019 8:11 AM
To: Walter Block <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Austrian Research Topics
Hi Dr. Block,
In response to your request for help with some possible Austrian research topics, I’ve thought of two. I’m still not familiar with a lot of the Austrian literature, so I’m not sure if there’s already a large literature on these topics, but I’m gonna submit the ideas anyway and you can decide to add them to your list or not:
THE ECONOMIC THEORY OF INSURANCE
• What is the Austrian view on the economics of insurance?
• What makes an event insurable and non-insurable from a praxeological point of view?
• What’s the relationship between the Austrian understanding of case/class probability and the insurability/uninsurability of an event?
• We see companies offering unemployment or income insurance but is this really feasible?
• Is health insurance even possible? Since Mises argues that a person’s health is largely determined by their own actions, is health insurance really insurance?
• If a lot of what’s currently being insured by health insurance is not truly insurance, what health events are truly insurable?
THE HISTORY AND ECONOMICS OF WARRANTIES AND GUARANTIES
• What is the history of warranties and guarantees?
• What is the economic theory of these things?
• How do these market innovations address alleged market failures?
Kind regards,
B
From: J
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2019 7:06 PM
To: Walter Block <[email protected]>
Subject: Austrian Research Topics from Hülsmann
Hi Prof. Block,
I saw your recent post on the LRC Blog asking about Austrian research topics.
I remember a page from Prof. Hülsmann’s website where he outlines a few topics that he has thought of. See this link:http://guidohulsmann.com/Doctoralstudies.html
What is of relevance in this case is under the header “New Research Topics”.
Hope this helps you and the individual who sent you that question!
Best,
J
1:51 am on June 21, 2019
