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 Hoppeanism:

Austrian Class Analysis

In his essay, "Marxist and Austrian Class Analysis"  Hoppe presents a comparative study of the Marxist and Austrian theoretical perspectives on class divisions and struggle.

Hoppe argues that while the  Marxist perspective sees class struggle as a confrontation between the  working class and the  capitalist class, the  Austrian perspective sees class struggle as a confrontation between the State and civil society.

Hoppe presents the Austrian perspective, which establishes the division between two very specific classes: the   productive class and the  non-productive class. Hoppe says that the  capitalist class and  working class are simply two groups within civil society that benefit each other through the voluntary exchange of goods and services in the market and not the exploitative relationship that the Marxists argue. On the other hand, the  State, having a monopoly of force and the power to tax, benefits at the expense of society at large, instead of generating wealth the way the productive class does.

Hoppe argues that ultimately the class struggle in modern society is a struggle between the State and civil society and that the only way to defend ourselves from government power and protect the private property rights of citizens is through decentralization and the abolishment of the State, effectively eliminating the non-productive class, leaving the productive class free to prosper.