The Secularization of Providential Order: F. A. Hayek's Political-Economic Theology
In this article I argue that the concept of spontaneous order that underlies F. A. Hayek's political-economic thought is a secularized version of classical liberalism's understanding of order as providential. In Adam Ferguson's writings on history and social order, from which Hayek dr...
| Published in: | Political theology |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic/Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group
[2017]
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| In: |
Political theology
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Ferguson, Adam 1723-1816
/ Faith in providence
/ Reception
/ Hayek, Friedrich A. von 1899-1992
/ Spontaneous order
/ Secularization
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| RelBib Classification: | KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history NBC Doctrine of God NBD Doctrine of Creation VA Philosophy |
| Further subjects: | B
Hayek
B economic theology B Secularization B Political Theology B Neoliberalism B Liberalism |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (doi) |
| Summary: | In this article I argue that the concept of spontaneous order that underlies F. A. Hayek's political-economic thought is a secularized version of classical liberalism's understanding of order as providential. In Adam Ferguson's writings on history and social order, from which Hayek draws the notion of spontaneous order, the classical liberal paradigm reveals its intimate connection to providential theology. It is in three features of Ferguson's thought, namely his understanding of order, the politics of laissez-faire he dictates, and his providential optimism, that a providential theology reveals itself. Hayek's restatement of liberalism involves the secularization of this notion of order, which forces him both to ground his thought in a different ontology and to formulate a different politics. By contrasting Hayek's political economy to Ferguson's thought I trace the implications of this secularization. In the conclusion I contend that despite his secularizing gesture, Hayek does not succeed at emptying his understanding of order of all theological traces. Consequently, his notion of “spontaneous order” still carries a distinct theological charge, making it impossible for Hayekian political economy to countenance the destruction wrought by markets. |
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| Item Description: | Das Heft ist als Doppelheft erschienen: "Volume 18 Numbers 7-8 November-December 2017" |
| ISSN: | 1462-317X |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Political theology
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1080/1462317X.2017.1325990 |