Carl Mengers "Grundsätze der Volkswirtschaftslehre" markieren den Beginn der Österreichischen Schule der Nationalökonomie. Menger entwickelte eine subjektive Wertlehre, die den Wert von Gütern von der individuellen Nachfrage ableitet, im Gegensatz zu den klassischen Theorien, die den Wert auf die Produktionskosten stützten. Das Buch legte die Grundlage für die Weiterentwicklung der Österreichischen Schule durch Ökonomen wie Böhm-Bawerk und Mises. Mengers Werk ist ein Meilenstein in der Geschichte der Wirtschaftswissenschaften und beeinflusst bis heute die wirtschaftspolitische Debatte. Seine Analyse der Entstehung von Märkten und Preisen ist von bleibender Bedeutung.
Published in 1776, 'The Wealth of Nations' is Adam Smith's magnum opus that laid the groundwork for modern economics. The book critiques mercantilist economic theories and introduces the concept of the 'invisible hand,' which describes how individual self-interest leads to societal benefit. It emphasizes the division of labor, the accumulation of capital, and the importance of free markets. Smith argues that a nation's wealth is not measured by its gold and silver reserves but by the stream of goods and services it produces. The book also outlines the core functions of government, such as maintaining defense, enforcing civil law, and promoting education, while advocating for limited government intervention in market activities.
Elizabeth Anderson's "Hijacked" delves into the complexities of meritocracy and its impact on social justice. Anderson meticulously dissects the historical and philosophical underpinnings of meritocratic ideals, revealing their inherent contradictions and unintended consequences. She challenges the prevailing notion of individual deservingness, arguing that societal structures and historical inequalities significantly shape individual outcomes. The book offers a compelling critique of the dominant narrative surrounding meritocracy, exposing its role in perpetuating injustice and inequality. Anderson's work provides a framework for understanding how meritocratic systems often fail to deliver on their promises of fairness and efficiency.
For centuries, the work ethic was used to justify inequality, but it also fueled a powerful movement for justice. In the final part of this series, Elizabeth Anderson and Dart Lindsley explore the progressive work ethic, a vision of labor rooted in dignity, equality, and shared prosperity. They trace how thinkers like Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, the Ricardian Socialists, and Karl Marx inspired reforms in education, labor rights, and social insurance, laying the foundation for social democracy. The conversation then turns to the neoliberal revival of the conservative work ethic, where leaders like Reagan and Thatcher redefined work to cut protections, concentrate power, and suppress wages. This isn’t just history—it’s a framework for how we treat work today.
Elizabeth Anderson is a political philosopher known for her work on democracy, economic justice, and the ethics of work. Her latest book, Hijacked, explores how the work ethic was distorted by neoliberalism to undermine workers and how it can be reclaimed to support fairness and dignity in the workplace.
In this episode, Dart and Elizabeth discuss:
- How the progressive work ethic reshaped labor
- Why Smith and Mill saw work as freedom, not control
- How Marx and the Ricardian socialists fought for justice
- The rise of worker protections and education
- How neoliberalism shifted power to corporations
- The fall of social democracy and its effects today
- Reclaiming work as a source of dignity and fairness
- And other topics…
Professor Elizabeth Anderson specializes in moral and political philosophy, feminist theory, social epistemology, and the philosophy of economics. She holds the positions of Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, John Dewey Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy and Women's & Gender Studies, and Max Shaye Professor of Public Philosophy at the University of Michigan. A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, Elizabeth has written extensively on democracy, labor, and economic justice, including her latest book, Hijacked: How Neoliberalism Turned the Work Ethic Against Workers and How Workers Can Take It Back.
Resources Mentioned:
Hijacked, by Elizabeth Anderson: https://www.amazon.com/Hijacked-Neoliberalism-against-Workers-Lectures/dp/1009275437
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith: https://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Nations-Adam-Smith/dp/1505577128
Principles of Political Economy, by John Stuart Mill: https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Political-Economy-John-Stuart/dp/0678014531
An Essay on the Principle of Population, by Thomas Malthus: https://www.amazon.com/Principle-Population-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0192837478
Connect with Elizabeth:
Profile: https://lsa.umich.edu/philosophy/people/faculty/eandersn.html
Work with Dart:
Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
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