George Reisman
George Reisman
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
George Reisman is an American economist, social philosopher, and novelist. His full name is George Gerald Reisman.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 7, 1937, in New York City, USA. Currently active as a scholar and writer.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American by nationality, Reisman's profession spans economics, philosophy, and literature. He is best known for his work as an economist, with a focus on the principles of capitalism.
Early Life and Background
Reisman grew up in New York City during the 1940s and 1950s, a time marked by significant cultural and economic change in America. His family's values and experiences had a profound impact on his worldview, influencing his views on capitalism and individual rights.
Growing up, Reisman was exposed to various intellectual currents of the time, including Objectivism, which would later become a foundational aspect of his thought. Ayn Rand, the founder of Objectivism, would play a pivotal role in shaping Reisman's philosophical outlook.
Major Accomplishments
Reisman is recognized for his comprehensive critique of socialism and his advocacy for laissez-faire capitalism. He has contributed extensively to academic journals and publications on topics such as economic theory, history, and philosophy.
Some of his notable works include:
- Capitalism: A Treatise on Economics, a book that systematically presents the principles of capitalism.
- The Government Against the Economy, an analysis of government intervention in markets.
- Classical Economics: An Introductory Course, which provides an introduction to classical economic thought.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to his writings, Reisman has been actively involved in promoting free market ideas through public speaking and advocacy. His work with the Ludwig von Mises Institute, a think tank dedicated to advancing Austrian economics, is particularly noteworthy.
Reisman's commitment to intellectual freedom and his critique of government control have made him a prominent figure in debates on economic policy and individual rights.
Impact and Legacy
George Reisman's contributions to the fields of economics and philosophy continue to shape contemporary discussions about capitalism, socialism, and individual liberty. His work serves as a reference point for scholars and advocates of laissez-faire capitalism worldwide.
Through his writings and public engagement, Reisman has helped promote a deeper understanding of the principles underlying free markets and the importance of individual rights in economic decision-making.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
George Reisman's influence extends beyond academic circles due to his ability to articulate complex ideas in accessible terms. His commitment to intellectual honesty, coupled with his passion for defending capitalism against critics, has made him a respected figure among scholars and advocates alike.
As an economist, philosopher, and writer, George Reisman's work continues to inspire new generations of thinkers, policymakers, and individuals seeking to understand the fundamental principles of economics and their implications on society.
Quotes by George Reisman
The slaves of socialism are slaves, but they are no one’s property and therefore no one’s loss.
The average American of today is intellectually so far removed from his forbears that instead of regarding government with apprehension, he is more likely to regard it as a virtual parent, concerned only with protecting and helping him.
The truth is that economic competition is the very opposite of competition in the animal kingdom. It is not a competition in the grabbing off of scarce nature-given supplies, as it is in the animal kingdom. Rather, it is a competition in the positive creation of new and additional wealth.
Global warming is not a threat. But environmentalism's response to it is....Even if global warming is a fact, the free citizens of an industrial civilization will have no great difficulty in coping with it-that is, of course, if their ability to use energy and to produce is not crippled by the environmental movement and by government controls otherwise inspired.
Whoever claims that economic competition represents survival of the fittest in the sense of the law of the jungle, provides the clearest possible evidence of his lack of knowledge of economics.
The free market exists to promote prosperity and human life, and that is what it has accomplished, splendidly, with breathtaking brilliance. In the industrialized world, the average person today enjoys a standard of living superior to that of kings and emperors of the past. The whole world's population is capable of enjoying the same marvelous results, if it adopts economic freedom.
The average American of today is intellectually so far removed from his forbears that instead of regarding government with apprehension, he is more likely to regard it as a virtual parent, concerned only with protecting and helping him
Today, in the Twenty-First Century, an age of jet aircraft, personal computers, wireless telecommunications, laser surgery, and incipient space travel, the mentality with which many presumably educated, intelligent people approach matters of economics and business is, however astonishing it may seem, still that of the Dark Ages.
Under communism (socialism), there is no incentive to supply people with anything they need or want, including safety.
Like the use of the word 'concupiscence' in an earlier age to describe sexual desire, the use of the word 'pollution' to describe essential aspects of the productive activities of an industrial society represents an attempt to defame an entirely proper human capacity by means of using an evil sounding name for it.