An introduction to the life and thought of the Marxist economist and social scientist Helene Bauer, who shaped intellectual and political debates in Austria’s First Republic.
In 1914, the Polish Jewish Helene Gumplowitz Landau left her husband and children to relocate to Vienna, driven by her unwavering passion for socialism and her love for Otto Bauer, a leading Austrian Marxist a decade her junior. In Vienna, Bauer became one of the first female economists to challenge the founding figures of neoliberalism, Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich Hayek. She criticised Otto Neurath for the flaws in his vision of a moneyless economy, confronted Ottmar Spann – Austria's foremost philosopher and ideologue of the fascist corporatist state – and was among the earliest voices warning that the Great Depression could fuel the rise of fascism. Helene Bauer spent her final years in exile in the United States, her contributions largely forgotten in Austria’s Second Republic. Yet, a century later, her incisive analyses of the crises of her time remain strikingly relevant, offering profound insights into the challenges of today.
Publication date: August 21, 2026
Preface
Part 1 Helene Bauer: Life and Thought
1 Preface: The Remarkable Life of Helene Bauer
2 Turbulent History of First Austrian Republic and Austrian Social Democracy
3 Helene Bauer and Austrian School of Economics – On Methodology and Bias in Economics
1 The Problem of Attribution of Value in the Marginal Utility Theory
2 Against Ludwig Mises’ Scientific Apologetics of Privilege
4 Socialisation Project
1 Socialisation in Theory
2 Socialisation in Practice
5 Money, Economy and Otto Neurath
6 Imperialism
7 Crisis in World Economy
1 On the Crisis in World Economy and Fascism
2 On Fascist Economy
8 Marriage, Emancipation and Social Class
Part 2 Writings of Helene Bauer
9 Bourgeoise and Socialist Economic Theory 1926
10 Bankruptcy of Marginal Utility Theory 1924
11 Wealth Levy and Socialisation 1919
12 The Harmony of Interests 1923
13 Mr. Ottmar Spann’s Tablecloth Set Yourself 1922
14 Imperialism 1927
15 Accumulation, Credit, Imperialism 1927
16 Economic Upswing and Fascism 1936
17 Marriage and Social Stratification 1927
Appendix
Bibliography
Index