Franz Oppenheimer

1864–1943

Nationality: German

Historical Period: The 20th Century and Beyond

Franz Oppenheimer (1864-1943) was a German sociologist whose pioneering historical analysis of the development of the state was based upon the distinction between the “political means” of acquiring wealth (such as coercion and taxation) and the “economic means” (through peaceful and voluntary exchange).

Oppenheimer featured as the March 2023 OLL Birthday. Read it here

Quotes from Franz Oppenheimer:

• Franz Oppenheimer on the origin of the state in conquest and subjection
• Franz Oppenheimer argues that there are two fundamentally opposed ways of acquiring wealth: the “political means” through coercion, and the “economic means” through peaceful trade

Titles from Franz Oppenheimer:

• Author: The State