Hayek and Tawney: A Forgotten Conversation on Economics and Christian Ethics

The dramatic British election of 1945 and an unlikely best-seller on economic philosophy provides the setting for a respectful conversation, rather than an acrimonious debate, between two long-time colleagues of the London School of Economics, the economic theorist F.A. Hayek and the economic historian R.H. Tawney. Their dialogue highlights divergent approaches to key moral issues embedded in economic thought, including the nature of freedom, the role of the state, and the reasons for poverty. The article examines the way in which Christianity underpins Tawney's approach to these questions and how, for Hayek, a network of secular beliefs performs a parallel function as the foundation of his world view and activism. The second part of the article considers the relevance of these events and conversation from 75 years ago for the ongoing dialogue between Christian ethics and economics.