The confiscation of his father’s farm by the Hungarian government in 1948 acted as the catalyst for Anthony de Jasay’s career as a critic of state power. This forced transition from agricultural landowner to international exile defined his subsequent body of work, which rigorously challenged the legitimacy of government intervention and explored the intricacies of liberal economic theory.
Early Life and Exile
Born in Aba in 1925, de Jasay completed his initial studies in Székesfehérvár and Budapest, earning a degree in agriculture. His life shifted abruptly when the Communist government seized his family property, prompting his emigration from Hungary. After spending two years in Austria, he relocated to Australia to study economics at the University of Western Australia.
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Following his education in Australia, de Jasay moved to England to conduct research at Nuffield College, Oxford, a position he held until 1962. His professional trajectory eventually led him to settle in France, where he spent the remainder of his career. During this period, he contributed numerous articles to prominent academic outlets, including the Economic Journal and the Journal of Political Economy.
Philosophical and Economic Contributions
The 1980s proved pivotal for de Jasay’s output, as the Solidarność movement in Poland and his earlier personal experiences influenced the publication of The State in 1985. Throughout the following decades, he expanded his inquiry into political philosophy and economic policy. His bibliography includes major titles such as Social Contract, Free Ride: A Study of the Public-Goods Problem, Against Politics: On Government, Anarchy and Order, and Choice, Contract, Consent: A Restatement of Liberalism.
Late Career and Legacy
In his later years, de Jasay continued to publish collections of essays, including Political Economy, Concisely and Economic Sense and Nonsense. His final works, such as Social Justice and the Indian Rope Trick, appeared in 2014. De Jasay died in Néville, France, on 23 January 2019, at the age of 93.
Fast facts
- Born: 1925, Aba
- Died: 23 January 2019, Néville
- Citizenship: Hungary, France, United Kingdom
- Educated: University of Western Australia, Nuffield College
- Key Publication: The State (1985)
- Languages: Hungarian, German, English, French
Questions readers ask
What core themes did Anthony de Jasay analyze in his work?
He focused on liberal theory, skepticism regarding state authority, and the imposition of strict limitations on government power.
Where did Anthony de Jasay reside during his career?
He lived in Hungary, Austria, Australia, the United Kingdom, and eventually settled in France for the final portion of his life.