Mises University

After more than 31 hours of travel, I was searching for the Mises Institute Campus. With the help of Google maps and my new friend, the Chevrolet Classic from Avis, I had found West Magnolia Avenue, but where was the Campus? There was Bodega, Ander’s Bookstore, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Rooster’s to the right, as well as endless Auburn University to the left, but where was the Mises Institute? Stopped at a Donahue Drive red light, I looked ahead to the right beyond Momma Goldberg’s Deli. Could this be the place I am looking for? Was my hunt now over? When will this light turn green? After the green I crossed the intersection and found what I had been looking for at 9:10 pm on the Friday night (29 July 2005). I then retired to the Crenshaw House Bed and Breakfast, ready for Mises University 2005 starting Sunday night.

Mises University delivered the full compliment of lectures covering many topics. The days started early and ended late. There was a whole lot to learn, especially if you were not familiar with the material prior to Mises University (or the required readings). Some of my favourite lectures include three by Joseph Salerno: The Marginalist Revolution, Calculation and Socialism, and Theory of Profit, Loss, and Entrepreneurship as well as four by Hans-Hermann Hoppe: Law and Economics, Economics of Risk and Insurance, Protection and the Market for Security (link from Mises U 2004), and Praxeology: The Austrian Method.

The Mises Institute Campus has been well designed, with lecture halls, classrooms, offices, bookstore, and library. Out the back there is a large area for sit down meals and conversation, as well as a relaxing garden area. In the conservatory were held several Mises Circles where a faculty member would deliver a more relaxed style of talk, rather than a lecture. In the Mises Circle we heard from Ralph Raico on his memoirs, Thomas DiLorenzo on the history and betrayal of American liberty, Guido Hülsmann reading a chapter from his yet to be published biography of the life and work of Ludwig von Mises, as well as a performance of Mises, the Musical featuring songs from the original Mises Circle in Vienna.

Attending Mises University were young people from many different places: Africa, Canada, Germany, Poland, Turkey, and the United States of America. (There were probably people from other places who I didn’t get a chance to meet.) I found conversation came easily; we were friends. Those attending were thinkers. There was much discussion every day (between lectures, at meals and at night), discussing issues and challenging ideas. Many of us had read similar books (by Hoppe, Rothbard, Mises, Rand, Hayek and Friedman), although it seemed others had discovered these books at an earlier age than I. Some were familiar with the material and others were relatively new.

There were quite a few Christian people, more than I expected. This could be because I was in the USA with a higher proportion of church going people compared to Australia. My roommate was from Michigan. He goes to a Baptist church, enjoys Francis Schaeffer books and is a bit of an entrepreneur. What a great bloke!

I enjoyed meeting and talking to the lecturers, getting to know them in person. Prior to Mises University, I had only known the lecturers through listening to their audio lectures or reading their books or articles. At first I found it strange to hear their familiar voices being produced by the real person. The faculty would sit with us at meal time and generally be with us throughout the week, so that we could all meet them and have a chat.

The Mises Institute from across the road
The Mises Institute from across the road

All together a great week, Mises University is the place to be to learn about economics.

© Danny Haynes

- posted 7 August 05 in

Comments

  1. David G, 30 August 2005, 18:26:
    Mises, the Musical !!!

    Only in America…
  2. Danny Haynes, 30 August 2005, 22:27:
    ... and in Vienna.
  3. Ben, 31 August 2005, 11:36:
    Les Misesrables!
  4. David G, 31 August 2005, 14:32:
    While you were gone I had doubts about Austrian school economics.

    Then I rejected it.

    Then I wasn’t sure.

    Then I contemplated the “Divine right of [rulers]”

    Then I wasn’t sure.

    Then, I was thinking a bit like an an anarchist again.

    Then our State government destabilised.

    Now, I’m kind of sure again…
  5. Tim Haynes, 31 August 2005, 21:42:
    Danny, it must have been a culture shock to be surrounded by people who think like you do. Most people here cannot begin to comprehend what the stuff you talk about actually means. This leads to social isolation and low self esteem. So, how have you been since you returned home?
  6. Danny Haynes, 8 October 2005, 00:48:
    Some pictures of Mises University 2005 are available.

    First, the official photo of 2005 Mises University Faculty, Staff and Students (jpg, 420 kilobytes) from the Mises University 2005 page. I am in the first row of people standing up, wearing a red polo shirt.

    Second, David Veksler has published the pictures he took at Mises University 2005. I can be found here about to enjoy Mises the Musical. Also here and here listening to Thomas DiLorenzo.

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