Mises Institute
A nonprofit educational, research, and publishing organization focused on the Austrian School of economics and libertarian thought.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The Mises Institute, formally known as the Ludwig von Mises Institute for Austrian Economics, is a nonprofit educational, research, and publishing organization headquartered in Auburn, Alabama. Founded in 1982 by Lew Rockwell, it is named for Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises and presents itself as a center for teaching and researching the Austrian School of economics, individual liberty, honest history, and international peace. Its intellectual program emphasizes Misesian praxeology, the study of human action through deductive reasoning, and is strongly critical of central banking, fiat money, expansive government intervention, supranational institutions, and many forms of empirical and mathematical economics associated with the mainstream discipline. The institute emerged from a network of American libertarian and Austrian economists. Rockwell, then chief of staff to Congressman Ron Paul, established the organization with the support of figures including economist Murray Rothbard, politician Ron Paul, writer Henry Hazlitt, economist F. A. Hayek, libertarian coin dealer Burt Blumert, and Margit von Mises, Ludwig von Mises's widow. Margit von Mises became the organization's first board chair. Rothbard served as its original academic vice president and helped give the institute a distinctively radical libertarian and anarcho-capitalist orientation. Its early institutional development was connected to Auburn University, which already had scholars working in Austrian economics. The institute was initially affiliated with Auburn's business school and later constructed its own building near the university campus. Over time, it developed facilities including a library, recording studio, conservatory, and amphitheater, supporting conferences, teaching, digital media, and publication activities. It also built a substantial online presence, distributing articles, lectures, books, podcasts, and video material to an international audience. The institute's publishing activities have included scholarly journals and books. It established the Review of Austrian Economics in 1986; in 1998, that journal moved to George Mason University and the institute launched the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics. In 2000, it took over publication of the Journal of Libertarian Studies from the Center for Libertarian Studies. Its educational portfolio includes the non-accredited Mises University, the Rothbard Graduate Seminar, the Austrian Economics Research Conference, summer research fellowships, and, beginning in 2020, a graduate program. Politically, the Mises Institute is generally associated with right-libertarian, paleolibertarian, and anarcho-capitalist currents in the United States. Its intellectual influence has extended into the Ron Paul movement, later Rand Paul campaigns, parts of Donald Trump's political coalition, and the Mises Caucus of the Libertarian Party. Scholars and critics have also connected some of its historical conferences and affiliated writers with paleoconservative, neo-Confederate, anti-democratic, or socially reactionary themes. The organization distinguishes itself from conventional think tanks, stating that it is primarily an educational and research institution rather than a public-policy advocacy group. By 2022, roughly 30 organizations using the Mises name had appeared internationally, although their independence and continuing activity varied.
History
The Mises Institute was founded in 1982 by Lew Rockwell, who was then chief of staff to Texas Congressman Ron Paul. Rockwell sought to create an institution explicitly dedicated to Ludwig von Mises and the more radical wing of Austrian economics. The organization received early encouragement from Margit von Mises, who became its first board chair, and from economists and libertarian activists including Murray Rothbard, Ron Paul, F. A. Hayek, Henry Hazlitt, and Burt Blumert. Rothbard became the institute's first academic vice president and supplied much of its early intellectual direction. The organization's initial development took place in association with Auburn University in Alabama. Auburn already had a small concentration of Austrian economists, including Roger Garrison, and Judge John V. Denson helped the institute establish itself in the university environment. Its relationship with Auburn's business school continued until 1998, when the institute created a separate building across from campus. The resulting campus became a base for teaching, research, conferences, publishing, media production, and library activities. Publication was central to the institute's growth. In 1986 it established the Review of Austrian Economics, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to Austrian theory. In 1998, the journal moved to George Mason University, while the Mises Institute replaced it with the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics. The institute also assumed publication of the Journal of Libertarian Studies in 2000 after taking it over from the Center for Libertarian Studies. These journals helped preserve and disseminate a school of thought that remains heterodox within economics and that differs even from some other Austrian approaches. The institute's political identity developed alongside its academic work. Rothbard and Rockwell promoted a paleolibertarian synthesis that combined free-market economics, hostility to centralized government, traditionalist social positions, opposition to fiat currency, and military noninterventionism. Their activities were linked to the John Randolph Club and a broader alliance with paleoconservative organizations. The institute also hosted conferences on secession and the American Civil War, including a 1995 event in Charleston, South Carolina. These activities prompted criticism from scholars and organizations that associated parts of the institute's network with neo-Confederate ideas, racial exclusion, or anti-democratic positions. After Rothbard's death in 1996, Hans-Hermann Hoppe became one of the most prominent intellectual figures associated with the institute. The organization's public profile expanded substantially through online publishing, digital lectures, audio, and video. A 2011 account in The Economist noted its growing internet presence and extensive Auburn facilities, even while observing that Austrian economics had attracted limited mainstream academic acceptance. In 2016, political scientist George Hawley described it as an intellectual center of the radical libertarian movement in the United States. The institute describes its current mission in terms of Austrian economic education, individual freedom, honest history, and international peace. Its programs include Mises University, the Rothbard Graduate Seminar, the Austrian Economics Research Conference, summer research fellowships, online courses, and a graduate program introduced in 2020. It also publishes books, journals, articles, podcasts, and recorded lectures. Its ideas have influenced Ron Paul and Rand Paul campaigns, elements of Donald Trump's political coalition, and the Mises Caucus of the Libertarian Party. International groups using the Mises name have also appeared, with approximately 30 reported by 2022, although these organizations are not necessarily controlled by the Alabama institution.
- 2022
International Mises-branded network documented
[1]Reference material reported approximately 30 organizations using the Mises name worldwide, though some were inactive and others operated independently.
- 2020
Graduate program introduced
[1]The institute expanded its formal educational offerings by beginning a graduate program.
- 2000
Journal of Libertarian Studies transferred to the institute
[1]The institute assumed publication of the Journal of Libertarian Studies from the Center for Libertarian Studies.
- 1998
Independent Auburn building established
[1]The organization moved beyond its Auburn University business-school affiliation and established its own facility near campus.
- 1998
Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics launched
[1]Following the transfer of the Review of Austrian Economics to George Mason University, the institute began publishing the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics.
- 1995
Secession conference held in Charleston
[1]The institute held a conference in Charleston, South Carolina, contributing to later criticism of its engagement with neo-Confederate themes.
- 1989
John Randolph Club alliance develops
[1]The institute became associated with a paleolibertarian and paleoconservative alliance involving the Rockford Institute.
- 1986
Review of Austrian Economics established
[1]The institute created a peer-reviewed journal devoted to Austrian economic research.
- 1982
Mises Institute founded
[1]Lew Rockwell founded the organization in the United States with early support from Margit von Mises, Murray Rothbard, Ron Paul, and other Austrian and libertarian figures.
Products and positioning
An Austrian School and libertarian educational institution advocating Misesian economics, individual freedom, free markets, monetary discipline, decentralized social organization, and noninterventionist foreign policy.
Educational program
Mises University
A non-accredited intensive educational program centered on Austrian economics, libertarian theory, and the intellectual tradition associated with Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard. It functions as one of the institute's principal mechanisms for introducing students and independent researchers to its economic methodology and political philosophy.
Graduate seminar
Rothbard Graduate Seminar
An advanced seminar named for Murray Rothbard, the institute's original academic vice president. The program provides concentrated study in Austrian economics and libertarian scholarship and is intended for participants pursuing deeper research beyond introductory economic education.
Academic journal · 1998
Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics
A journal devoted to Austrian economic theory and related scholarship. It replaced the institute's earlier Review of Austrian Economics after that publication moved to George Mason University in 1998.
Academic journal · 2000
Journal of Libertarian Studies
A libertarian scholarly journal whose publication was taken over by the Mises Institute from the Center for Libertarian Studies in 2000. It provides a venue for research and argument concerning political philosophy, economics, history, and individual liberty.
Academic conference
Austrian Economics Research Conference
A recurring research gathering focused on Austrian economics and closely related questions in monetary theory, political economy, economic history, and libertarian scholarship. It connects the institute's academic publishing work with presentations and scholarly exchange.
Digital education and publishing
Online educational library
The institute's website distributes articles, books, lectures, podcasts, and video material to an international audience. Its digital output has been an important source of visibility for Austrian economics and radical libertarian ideas beyond conventional university settings.
Controversies
2003
Criticism of social and economic doctrine
Critics, including Chip Berlet of the Southern Poverty Law Center, argued that the institute's libertarian economics and political theory could accommodate hierarchical or socially reactionary views and opposed government interventions framed around social justice.
1995
Controversy over secession and neo-Confederate themes
The institute's conferences on secession, including a 1995 event in Charleston, and statements by associated figures about the American Civil War led critics to connect parts of its network with neo-Confederate ideas. The Southern Poverty Law Center later characterized the organization as showing interest in neo-Confederate themes.
Marketing campaigns
- 1989Paleolibertarian-paleoconservative alliance
United States
The institute participated in the political and intellectual network surrounding the John Randolph Club, linking paleolibertarian economic positions with paleoconservative views on culture, national sovereignty, and foreign policy.
Outcome. The alliance increased the institute's visibility in right-libertarian and paleoconservative circles while also contributing to later criticism of its political associations.
- 1982Founding campaign for Misesian economics
United States
The institute was created to give Ludwig von Mises's economic ideas a dedicated institutional base and to promote Austrian economics independently of larger libertarian organizations.
Outcome. It developed into a nonprofit research, publishing, and educational center based in Auburn, Alabama.
Brand decisions
2020
Introduce a graduate programProduct launchBackground
The institute had long offered seminars, fellowships, conferences, and non-accredited educational programs and sought to extend its formal academic activities.
Action taken
It began offering a graduate program focused on its Austrian and libertarian intellectual tradition.
Aftermath
The program expanded the institute's educational scope, although the available reference material does not establish accreditation or enrollment figures.
2000
Take over publication of the Journal of Libertarian StudiesM&ABackground
The Journal of Libertarian Studies had previously been published by the Center for Libertarian Studies.
Action taken
The Mises Institute assumed responsibility for publishing the journal.
Aftermath
The institute broadened its role as a publisher of libertarian political philosophy and interdisciplinary scholarship.
1998
Establish an independent facility near Auburn UniversityStrategyBackground
The institute had previously been affiliated with Auburn University's business school and sought a more independent institutional base for research, publishing, teaching, and events.
Action taken
It established its own building across from the university campus.
Aftermath
The Auburn site became the organization's principal physical center and later supported expanded media, library, conference, and educational activities.
1998
Replace the Review of Austrian Economics with a new journalProduct launchBackground
The Review of Austrian Economics transferred to George Mason University, ending its publication by the Mises Institute.
Action taken
The institute launched the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics as its principal replacement publication.
Aftermath
The organization maintained a dedicated scholarly outlet for Austrian economic research.
Recent events
- 2020
Graduate program begins[1]
Product launch
The institute began offering a graduate program as part of its expanding educational activities.
- 2000
Institute takes over the Journal of Libertarian Studies[1]
Product launch
The Mises Institute assumed publication of the Journal of Libertarian Studies from the Center for Libertarian Studies.
- 1998
Mises Institute establishes an independent Auburn facility[1]
Product launch
After its earlier affiliation with Auburn University's business school, the institute established its own building near the campus and launched the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics.
- 1989
Institute forms paleo alliance with the Rockford Institute[1]
Other
The institute and the paleoconservative Rockford Institute were associated with the John Randolph Club, reflecting the development of a paleolibertarian and paleoconservative political alliance.
- 1986
Institute launches the Review of Austrian Economics[1]
Product launch
The organization established a peer-reviewed journal devoted to Austrian economic scholarship.
- 1982
Mises Institute founded in Auburn[1]
Other
Lew Rockwell established the nonprofit institute to promote the work of Ludwig von Mises and Austrian economics, with early support from Murray Rothbard, Ron Paul, and other libertarian figures.
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