Alongside Friedrich Hayek, Wilhelm Röpke (1899-1966) was one of the founding members of the Mont Pélerin society. In 1961, he became president of the society but terminated his membership a year later following a disagreement with Hayek over the future direction of the group.
A proponent of Ordoliberalism, a distinct strand of neoliberalism which combined “economic modernity and anti-modern political, social, and cultural ideas”, Röpke’s influence was clearest in the development of the Soziale Marktwirtschaft (Social Market Economy) during the post-war reconstruction of Germany (Mirowski & Plehwe, The Road from Mont Pelerin, p. 103).
A Humane Economy is an effective synthesis of Ordoliberalism, lamenting the centralisation, degradation and vermassung (or massification) of society. His Conservatism is clear with Röpke setting out an “anthropological-sociological frame” with a Christian structure of morality within which the market can operate (Mirowski & Plehwe, p. 103).
Contents bright, uneven foxing to endpapers, rubbed dust jacket worsening towards extremities and fading to spine, just about a very good copy overall.
