Professor Hoppe’s speech, The Ludwig von Mises Memorial Lecture presented at the Mises Institute’s Austrian Economics Research Conference (Fri., March 21, 2025; see Considerations and Reflections of a Veteran Reactionary Libertarian). Podcast at PFP290. Youtube transcript below (automatically cleaned up by ChatGPT).
Note Professor Hoppe extensively comments on the reaction to his previous criticism of Milei; see Hans-Hermann Hoppe, “Javier Milei” (PFS 2024); Hoppe, “What To Make of Milei,” LewRockwell.com (Oct. 3, 2024); and Kristoffer Mousten Hansen, “Hoppe versus Milei on Central Banking: Breaking Down the Differences,” Mises Wire (Feb. 6, 2025).
He also discusses various other matters, such as the funding of the Frankfurt School by Felix Weil and its influence on Western Europe and on America (and its connection to “wokeism”); US worldwide hegemony since WWII and NATO provocations of Russia after the fall of the USSR, and its role in provoking the Russia-Ukraine conflict; the US role in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the influence of Israel over US policy and the dangerous alliance of the US and American “exceptionalism” paired with Israel’s “Chosen People” image.
[From ChatGPT: Here’s the cleaned-up and formatted transcript of the Hans-Hermann Hoppe speech at the Mises Memorial Lecture. I’ve corrected transcription errors, improved readability and flow, retained key phrases and context, and structured the sections clearly for easier editing. This version is suitable for preparing a polished written transcript or publication.]
Hans-Hermann Hoppe – Mises Memorial Lecture
Thank you to Lew Rockwell, Tom DiLorenzo, and José Niño for the invitation.
To clarify the “veteran” part of my lecture: my first visit to Auburn was in either fall 1985 or spring 1986. So Auburn, for me, is my sweet home in Alabama.
When I arrived, the only people still here from then were Lew Rockwell, Marty, Pat Barnett, Judy Thomasson, and Mark Thornton. John Denson may have been here as well.
Now, my wife told me: when you give a speech, don’t just read a carefully crafted article. Speak in a conversational style, like when you were still teaching. So if I’m disorganized, repetitive, or rambling, please blame it on my wife—who, as you know, is the boss.
I want to touch on three interrelated subjects:
1. Monarchical vs. Democratic Wars and Peace Settlements
Contrast:
– Monarchical wars: Often stemmed from inheritance disputes. They were quick to start, and quickly ended—monarchs paid for war from their own resources, with limited taxation and no mass draft. There was little ideological pretense.
– Democratic wars: Involve entire populations and require ideological narratives—good vs. evil. As a result, peace must involve moral judgment, punishment, and vindictiveness.
Examples:
– 1815, Vienna Congress: The last monarchical peace. France was defeated, borders restored, reparations imposed, but no mass punishment. Peace lasted nearly 100 years.
– American Civil War: The North defeated the South—but imposed Reconstruction and long-term stigma.
– WWI and WWII as a 30-Year War: Vindictive treaties, redrawn borders, abolished monarchies, reparations, and rise of nationalism led to further war.
2. The Frankfurt School and American Re-education of Germany
The Frankfurt School, funded by the Weil family, housed wealthy, Marxist German-Jewish intellectuals like Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, and Fromm. They believed revolution would come through culture, not proletarian revolt.
After WWII, the U.S. brought them back to re-educate Germany. Their legacy includes political correctness, anti-authoritarianism, and ultimately today’s woke ideology—though many of them were personally conservative.
3. On Javier Milei and Libertarian Strategy
Milei cited Rothbard and myself, but deviated from key principles:
– Didn’t abolish the central bank; hired ex-central bankers.
– Inflation remains high; money supply and debt grew.
– Claimed repaying foreign debt is a moral obligation (it isn’t).
– Took pro-war, pro-NATO, pro-Zelensky, pro-Netanyahu stances.
Such positions damage the libertarian brand, aligning it with militarism, statism, and empire.
Final Reflections on War, Empire, and Liberty
Austro-libertarian insights:
– States arise from war and centralization.
– Libertarians favor decentralization and localism.
– The U.S. became a global empire post-WWII.
– NATO expansion provoked Russia in Ukraine.
– American wars caused global instability and immigration crises.
– Frankfurt School influenced American and European wokeness.
Israel and U.S. exceptionalism are a dangerous combination. While I love the U.S. people, the U.S. government is the greatest global threat today.
Sometimes, survival takes precedence over ideological martyrdom.
Closing
With those somewhat pessimistic reflections, I will conclude this rambling talk. I hope it was more entertaining than a dry, read-out essay. Thank you very much.
