“Etatism, as a theory, is the doctrine of the omnipotence of the State, and, as a policy, the attempt to regulate all mundane affairs by authoritative commandment and prohibition. The ideal society of etatism is a particular sort of socialistic community; it is usual in discussions involving this ideal society to speak of State Socialism, or, in some connexions, of Christian Socialism.”

Austrian and American political economist and philosopher

Ludwig Heinrich von Mises was an Austrian and American political economist and philosopher of the Austrian school. He is known for his work on classical liberalism and the place of consumers in a market economy. He wrote and lectured widely on the social value of classical liberalism, and on praxeology, the study most closely associated with his work. He is also known for comparing communism and capitalism, and for defending liberal ideas against the spread of illiberalism and authoritarianism in 20th-century Europe.