The Political Dimension of Knowledge

From ‘Academic Tribe’ to ‘Thought Collective’

Abstract

The article suggests that one, probably the most important, source of neolibe- ralism is to be found in the interwar Viennese intellectual life. A group of scientists around the leader (or chief) Ludwig Mises developed in their discussions the new liberal thinking. Outside the academic world for several reasons they acted nevertheless as an ‘academic tribe’. As a substitute for academic careers the Institut für Konjunkturforschung (Institute for business cycle research) was founded. It was directed by Friedrich August von Hayek and later on by Oskar Morgenstern. After World War II the academic tribe expanded to a thought collective.