Max Weber and Ordoliberalism: How Weber’s Kulturkritik Contributed to the Foundation of Ordoliberal Socio-Economic Thought

Abstract

This study aims to uncover Max Weber as a direct and indirect influence on Alexander Rüstow and Wilhelm Röpke and the emergence of ordoliberal socio-economic thought in the 1930s and 40s. Weber contributed to the German Kulturkritik of the early 20th century that shaped the academic and socio-political climate in which the ordoliberals formed their own ideas. Weber also identified key societal issues to which the ordoliberals found concrete solutions, specifically their “Third Way” between laissez-faire capitalism and central planning as well as Vitalpolitik. This study finds that despite Weber’s relative neglect in epistemological studies of economics, his insights were incorporated into ordoliberal thought and beyond.