Marrying for Love

  • Mises’ most memorable contribution is the
  • argument of his 1922 book, Socialism, which leaves central planning in tatters.
  • rarely, however, do many of the other insights of that great book get the attention they merit.
  • rarely, for instance, do people recall Mises’ passage on the economics of marriage.
  • yet, perhaps we should; economics applies to all of life.

  • Marriage, Mises says, was a domineering, utilitarian relationship in the pre-capitalist
  • era.
  • Kindheartedness was hardly a man’s typical posture toward his bride.
  • all that changed with the advent of marriage covenants.
  • romance ignited with the extension of private property rights. Now,
  • only one woman—those slate gray eyes!—would singularly capture a man’s heart.
  • love resulted from the free will of two people choosing each other (and forsaking heels).
  • institutional change warmed mankind’s disposition toward marriage like winter melts to spring.
  • no longer was marriage solely for conquest or pleasure or even convenient tennis but for
  • a life of mutual fidelity, service, self-sacrifice, and love.
  • ?
Caleb S. Fuller is a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute and Associate Professor of Economics at Grove City College.
Beacon Posts by Caleb S. Fuller | Full Biography and Publications
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