Mises’ 1921 program already coupled free trade with wage compression

Evidence

Mises put the issue systematically in a policy program written at the request of a politician in February 1921: “Austria needs ­free trade.” Alongside suggestions to lift prohibitions on imports and ports, Mises suggested privatizing public enterprises, eliminating food subsidies, and, consistent with his belief in ­free movement, lifting entry and residence restrictions for foreigners. ­After 1920 the Chamber of Commerce had the duty of writing evaluations of laws for the government. In a position statement, Mises restated the points that “Austria’s ­future depends on ­free trade” and that if their goods ­were “to be able to compete abroad,” wages would have to fall “far below their prewar level.” — Quinn Slobodian, Globalists, 159