Science, Technology, and Government Paperback – July 9, 2015

An early manuscript reveals a lot about the way Murray Rothbard tackled an issue. Highly organized, comprehensive. Loaded with insights. Just as relevant today as when written six decades ago. I wish he were around to update it again with new insights.

Short but very interesting work from Murry Rothbard, one of the great austrian economists. Definitely worth a read especially by those interested in free market oriented schools of economics and sound economic, scientific, and technological policy.

Listened to the audiobook through the Mises Institute. I only wish that it was longer. Does a great job in a very short space to demonstrate the fallacious statements that begin with, "Yes, but the free-market could never produce [insert technological achievement here]". Not only does Rothbard go through several famous instances of government both stalling technological progress and taking the credit for the work of private labs, but he also includes a vision of technological discovery which shows a lone problem solver, working in a non-linear and unplanned fashion to produce our greatest technological feats.I haven't tackled Kealey's Economic Laws of Scientific Research, but from what I can tell, this is a good introduction to the ideas of that text.

This book was found recently in Rothbard's papers. Although somewhat unpolished, it draws on a wealth of material showing that the state need not play an active role in perusing science. For example, most scientific achievements are accomplished by individuals or small groups, not by government or large research academies.

Fantanstic!