Communicative Action and the Radical Constitution: The Habermasian Challenge to Hayek, Mises and Their Descendents

20 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2008 Last revised: 22 Nov 2010

See all articles by David L Prychitko

David L Prychitko

Northern Michigan University - Department of Economics

Virgil Henry Storr

George Mason University - Department of Economics; George Mason University - Mercatus Center; University of Arizona Center for the Philosophy of Freedom

Date Written: March 1, 2007

Abstract

This paper evaluates Jurgen Habermas's typology of action and his recent call for a radically democratic rule of law. The theory of action that Habermas develops, however, differs significantly from the science of action (praxeology) of the Austrian school. As such, it represents a methodological challenge to Austrian praxeology. Additionally, Habermas's criticism of the welfare state is shown to be somewhat consistent with Hayek's criticisms, but his alternative to the welfare state challenges the political vision of many Austrian economists. This paper attempts to demonstrate that both Habermas's and the Austrian school's efforts suffer from similar weaknesses and epistemological pretences.

Keywords: Austrian economics, Habermas, Praxeology, Rule of law, Welfare state

JEL Classification: B41, D7, D63, P16

Suggested Citation

Prychitko, David L. and Storr, Virgil Henry and Storr, Virgil Henry, Communicative Action and the Radical Constitution: The Habermasian Challenge to Hayek, Mises and Their Descendents (March 1, 2007). Cambridge Journal of Economics, Vol. 31, No. 2, pp. 255-274, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1145429 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cje/bel017

David L. Prychitko (Contact Author)

Northern Michigan University - Department of Economics ( email )

Department of Economics
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI 49855
United States

Virgil Henry Storr

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

HOME PAGE: http://virgilstorr.org/

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

HOME PAGE: http://virgilstorr.org/

University of Arizona Center for the Philosophy of Freedom ( email )

Department of History
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

HOME PAGE: http://virgilstorr.org/

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