Political Forums

Onion Eater · 02-09-2009, 09:54 AM

The Mises Institute has distributed a list of 25 questions which purport to sort out Austrians, Keynesians, monetarists and Marxists. Apparently, in their world view, axiomatic economists do not exist. Many people have taken this test and almost all of them have been told that they are 80 to 90% Austrian. This would imply either that Austrianism is far more prevalent in society than hitherto suspected, or that the test takers were hoodwinked.

Actually, it is the latter. The Mises Institute is conflating Austrianism with libertarianism. Most of their questions are about jurisprudence, not economics, and are really just asking if one is libertarian. The 80 to 90% represents the prevalence of libertarianism in society, or at least among people who visit their site. The purpose of the Mises Institute’s test is to convince libertarians that there is no other economic theory compatible with their beliefs, not to convert mainstream or Marxist economists, who are assumed to be irredeemable.

In contrast to the Mises Institute, my test asks only theoretical, not ideological, questions. I assume that everybody taking it is more or less supportive of capitalism and the free market. (If you are a Marxist, you might want to read my Critique of Montagne rather than take this test.) I intend to sort out followers of the axiomatic, Austrian and mainstream schools of economic thought. By “mainstream” I mean concepts that are widely taught in the universities, not just Keynesianism. Austrians tend to assume that the two terms are synonymous, which is not true.

Take the 20-question quiz at Are You an Austrian, Axiomatic or Mainstream Economist?

Take the 6-question quiz at Short Version of Quiz.

Onion Eater · 03-02-2009, 08:37 AM

All Answer Totals
Axiomatic = 308 || Austrian = 309 || Mainstream = 383 || Total = 1000

Onion Eater · 05-09-2009, 01:22 PM

Statistics as of 8 May 2009

All Answer Totals
Axiomatic = 753 || Austrian = 787 || Mainstream = 957 || Total = 2497

As you can see, unlike the Mises Institute, which turned their “quiz” into a propaganda tool to convince the sheeple that 90% of the other sheeple were also Austrians and, thus, it was nothing to be ashamed of, my quiz is for real. I honestly want to know what the proportions of Austrian, axiomatic and mainstream economists are. I knew that mainstream economists were the majority – if they were the minority position, they wouldn’t be called “mainstream” – but I really had no idea whether the Austrian or the axiomatic economists were greater in number.

Onion Eater · 07-02-2009, 12:31 PM

All Answer Totals
Axiomatic = 899 || Austrian = 954 || Mainstream = 1147 || Total = 3000

Onion Eater · 11-16-2009, 07:43 AM

Statistics as of 15 Nov 2009.

All Answer Totals
Axiomatic = 1204 || Austrian = 1251 || Mainstream = 1548 || Total = 4003

So we see that the Axiomatic and the Austrian economists are running neck-and-neck for second place while the mainstream economists maintain a comfortable lead. This is to be expected; if mainsteam economics were the minority position, it wouldn't be called "mainstream."

This demonstrates that my quiz is fair. It is ridiculous for the Mises Institute to try to convince people that 80 to 90% of economists are Austrian. Obviously, just a casual glance through any economics department will reveal that the proportions are a lot closer to my results.

02-09-2009, 09:54 AM	#1
Onion Eater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51	Are You an Austrian, Axiomatic or Mainstream Economist? The Mises Institute has distributed a list of 25 questions which purport to sort out Austrians, Keynesians, monetarists and Marxists. Apparently, in their world view, axiomatic economists do not exist. Many people have taken this test and almost all of them have been told that they are 80 to 90% Austrian. This would imply either that Austrianism is far more prevalent in society than hitherto suspected, or that the test takers were hoodwinked. Actually, it is the latter. The Mises Institute is conflating Austrianism with libertarianism. Most of their questions are about jurisprudence, not economics, and are really just asking if one is libertarian. The 80 to 90% represents the prevalence of libertarianism in society, or at least among people who visit their site. The purpose of the Mises Institute’s test is to convince libertarians that there is no other economic theory compatible with their beliefs, not to convert mainstream or Marxist economists, who are assumed to be irredeemable. In contrast to the Mises Institute, my test asks only theoretical, not ideological, questions. I assume that everybody taking it is more or less supportive of capitalism and the free market. (If you are a Marxist, you might want to read my Critique of Montagne rather than take this test.) I intend to sort out followers of the axiomatic, Austrian and mainstream schools of economic thought. By “mainstream” I mean concepts that are widely taught in the universities, not just Keynesianism. Austrians tend to assume that the two terms are synonymous, which is not true. Take the 20-question quiz at Are You an Austrian, Axiomatic or Mainstream Economist? Take the 6-question quiz at Short Version of Quiz.

03-02-2009, 08:37 AM	#2
Onion Eater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51	One thousand respondents. All Answer Totals Axiomatic = 308 \|\| Austrian = 309 \|\| Mainstream = 383 \|\| Total = 1000

05-09-2009, 01:22 PM	#3
Onion Eater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51	Re: Are You an Austrian, Axiomatic or Mainstream Economist? Statistics as of 8 May 2009 All Answer Totals Axiomatic = 753 \|\| Austrian = 787 \|\| Mainstream = 957 \|\| Total = 2497 As you can see, unlike the Mises Institute, which turned their “quiz” into a propaganda tool to convince the sheeple that 90% of the other sheeple were also Austrians and, thus, it was nothing to be ashamed of, my quiz is for real. I honestly want to know what the proportions of Austrian, axiomatic and mainstream economists are. I knew that mainstream economists were the majority – if they were the minority position, they wouldn’t be called “mainstream” – but I really had no idea whether the Austrian or the axiomatic economists were greater in number.

07-02-2009, 12:31 PM	#4
Onion Eater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51	Re: Are You an Austrian, Axiomatic or Mainstream Economist? All Answer Totals Axiomatic = 899 \|\| Austrian = 954 \|\| Mainstream = 1147 \|\| Total = 3000

11-16-2009, 07:43 AM	#5
Onion Eater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 51	Re: Are You an Austrian, Axiomatic or Mainstream Economist? Statistics as of 15 Nov 2009. All Answer Totals Axiomatic = 1204 \|\| Austrian = 1251 \|\| Mainstream = 1548 \|\| Total = 4003 So we see that the Axiomatic and the Austrian economists are running neck-and-neck for second place while the mainstream economists maintain a comfortable lead. This is to be expected; if mainsteam economics were the minority position, it wouldn't be called "mainstream." This demonstrates that my quiz is fair. It is ridiculous for the Mises Institute to try to convince people that 80 to 90% of economists are Austrian. Obviously, just a casual glance through any economics department will reveal that the proportions are a lot closer to my results.