This book provides unique insight into the life and work of Murray N. Rothbard. After detailing his early life and encounters with Ludwig von Mises, it examines how the social and political conditions of the time influenced his thinking and led him toward classical liberalism, the Austrian school of economics, and libertarianism. Rothbard's valuable contributions to these traditions are outlined, with a particular focus on his considerations of human nature, natural law, business cycles, and the free market. His engagement with political and social issues is also discussed and ranges from his opposition to the Vietnam War and his distrust of the state to his analysis of the Soviet secession.

This book explores the legacy of Murray N. Rothbard and highlights the continued importance of his ideas and work. It will be relevant to students and researchers interested in the history of economic thought and political philosophy, as well as Austrian economics and libertarianism.

Autorentext

Roberta Adelaide Modugno is Professor of History of Political Thought at the Department of Political Science at Roma TRE University (Rome - Italy). Professor Modugno is a fellow of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, where she has often been hosted as a Visiting Scholar. In August 2021, she received the International Prize Liberamente from Fondazione Scoppa and Confedilizia Calabria for her contribution to the advancement of the values of freedom and classical liberalism. Professor Modugno has participated in many conferences in Italy and abroad.

Among her main publications: R. A. MODUGNO (Ed.), (Forthcoming). Murray Rothbard on Politics, Philosophy and History: A Selection from His Papers, Ludwig von Mises Institute; R. A. MODUGNO (2022). Murray N. Rothbard, IBL Libri; R. A. MODUGNO (Ed.), (2009). Murray N. Rothbard versus the Philosophers: Unpublished Writings on Hayek, Mises, Strauss, and Polanyi, Ludwig von Mises Institute; R. A. MODUGNO (2019). The Libertarian Legacy of the Old Right: Democracy and Representative Government, Journal of Libertarian Studies, (23); R. A. MODUGNO (2017). Liberty versus Democracy in Bruno Leoni and Friedrich von Hayek, Libertarian Papers: A Journal of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 9 (2); *R. A. MODUGNO (2016). Liberalismo y democracia: un debate todavia abierto. In O. Iazzetta and M. R. Stabili (Eds.), Las trasformaciones de la democracia: Miradas cruzadas entre Europa y América Latina,* Prometeo Libros, Buenos Aires.