The Winter 2001 issue of the History of Political
Economy (HOPE) has an article bearing the subject
heading as its title by Melvin W. Reder. He alleges
anti-Semitism on the parts of Keynes, Schumpeter,
and Hayek. He also claims that there was a decline
in anti-Semitism after 1950.
His claims have triggered a major protest on the
Hayek list where it is argued that Reder's argument is
based on flimsy arguments and that Hayek never
exhibited any anti-Semitism. I think these protests
have merit. However, there has been a censoring of
any discussion on that list of any aspects of this article
other than to allow members of the list to denounce Reder's
remarks regarding Hayek.
I think that many on these lists might find the issues
raised in this article of interest, even if ultimately the
article is to be dismissed as totally misguided hogwash.
I would not be raising this if I did not think that at least some
of its arguments are not totally unreasonable.
Barkley Rosser
