Martin Rhonheimer

The Labor of Capital: How Wealth is Created

The Catholic Church’s mistrust of free entrepreneurship is an old phenomenon. At its origin is the idea of antagonism between “Labor and Capital”, rooted in the influence of Marxist doctrine. It is time to leave this misleading dichotomy behind.

Catholic Social Teaching: Out of Touch with Economic Thought

Human history is deeply marked by mass poverty. This was only overcome by the capitalistic industrial revolution. Catholic ethicists and theologians would be wise to learn about the economic factors that have lifted people out of poverty and continue to increase the general standard of living.

Why the Market Economy, Political Freedom and Democracy Belong Together—Even if Not without Tension

A liberal economic order is based on free markets, entrepreneurial initiative and personal responsibility. The prerequisites for this, in turn, are legal certainty and, above all, economic freedom.

In Our Heads We Are All Marxists—How Marx’s Myths Shape Our Affluent Society

Even though few self-identify as Marxists, many of the Marx’s ideas remain in fashion. In particular, his denigration of capitalists and entrepreneurs as stealing from workers, and his failure to identify their effective beneficence, remain quite popular.

Freedom of Expression and Democracy: Opening Lecture at the Students for Liberty Regional Conference

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right without which a free and democratic society cannot exist. We all grew up in this culture of freedom. But Political Correctness and conformism endanger it.

The Ethics of the Market Economy: A Critical Appraisal of Ludwig von Mises’ Utilitarian Interpretation (Academic paper)

Mises’ interpretation of market capitalism is flawed. In truth, Mises is best interpreted in a non-utilitarian way.

The True Meaning of ‘Social Justice’: A Catholic View of Hayek (Academic paper)

Hayek’s dismissal of the concept of “social justice” is well-known. While we can basically agree with Hayek’s critique, we should not entirely reject this concept. There exists a true meaning of social justice.