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Den Fronsperger finde ich geistesgeschichtlich aufregend interessant: Zum Briefwechsel von Alexander Rüstow und Walter Eucken über das Buch „Von dem Lob deß Eigen Nutzen“ von 1564

Author

Listed:
  • Klump Rainer

    (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 4, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Pilz Lars

    (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 4, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Abstract
Between 1941 and 1943 Alexander Rüstow and Walter Eucken discussed in a series of letters “Von dem Lob deß Eigen Nutzen” (“On the Praise of Self-Interest”) by Leonhard Fronsperger published in 1564. In this book which has remained largely unkown until today self-interested actions are praised as a source of common welfare. The numerous sources and references of the book discussed by Rüstow and Eucken in their correspondance demonstrate its uniqueness in the German-language economic literature of the early modern period and underline that the author can be regarded as an early precursor of Bernhard Mandeville and Adam Smith. However, neither Eucken nor Rüstow later dealt more intensively with Fronsperger and his work; presumably they considered the optimistic view on the market economy inappropriate for the present time as it ignored any view on the dangers caused by monopolistic market power, lobbyism and interventionism. The first English translation of the book on self-interest will pave the way for its rediscovery and its appropriate international appreciation.

Suggested Citation

  • Klump Rainer & Pilz Lars, 2023. "Den Fronsperger finde ich geistesgeschichtlich aufregend interessant: Zum Briefwechsel von Alexander Rüstow und Walter Eucken über das Buch „Von dem Lob deß Eigen Nutzen“ von 1564," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 72(1), pages 39-61, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:ordojb:v:72-73:y:2023:i:1:p:39-61:n:26
    DOI: 10.1515/ordo-2023-2005
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    Keywords

    History of economic thought; ordoliberalism; market economy; self-interest; Mandeville; Smith; Geschichte der ökonomischen Theorie; Ordoliberalismus; Marktwirtschaft; Eigennutz; Mandeville; Smith; History of economic thought; ordoliberalism; market economy; self-interest; Mandeville; Smith;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B11 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Preclassical (Ancient, Medieval, Mercantilist, Physiocratic)
    • B12 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought through 1925 - - - Classical (includes Adam Smith)
    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • N01 - Economic History - - General - - - Development of the Discipline: Historiographical; Sources and Methods
    • P10 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - General

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