Agent of Austrian Economics

W. Cleon Skousen was born on January 20, 1913, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He was an influential American author, economist, and political commentator, known for his work advocating for conservative values, free-market capitalism, and American exceptionalism. Skousen studied at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he earned a degree in business and economics, and later became a professor at BYU. He also worked as a FBI agent before becoming more involved in writing and public speaking on matters of politics, economics, and American history.

Skousen’s most influential contributions lie in his defense of constitutional conservatism and his critiques of socialism and communism. He is best known for his books, particularly “The 5,000 Year Leap” (1981), which outlines the philosophical and political foundations of the United States Constitution. In this work, Skousen argues that the American Constitution represents the culmination of centuries of human thought on individual liberty and self-governance, emphasizing that the Founding Fathers built a framework for government designed to preserve freedom and limit the concentration of power.

Another of Skousen’s notable works is “The Naked Communist” (1958), which outlines the dangers of communism and seeks to expose the strategies used by communist forces to undermine the American way of life. This book was a significant influence during the Cold War and was used to raise public awareness about the perceived threat of communism both in the U.S. and abroad. Skousen argues that communism sought to destroy individual freedoms and capitalist economies through subversive tactics and ideological warfare.

Skousen also authored “The Majesty of God’s Law” and “The Making of America”, which focused on the moral and biblical foundations of American law, and explored the religious and philosophical principles that shaped American democracy. His works are deeply influenced by his Mormon faith, and many of his writings integrate religious and ethical considerations into his political and economic views.

A central idea in Skousen’s writings is the importance of a limited government that respects individual rights and the free market. He believed that government intervention should be minimal and that the state should not interfere with personal liberties or the workings of the free market. He was also a vocal critic of government spending, inflation, and the expansion of federal power, arguing that such practices erode the principles of liberty and self-governance that the United States was founded upon.

Skousen’s ideas align with those of Austrian economics, classical liberalism, and the conservative movement. His advocacy for a return to the Constitutional principles and individual liberty continues to inspire conservatives and libertarians. He founded the National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS), where he worked to educate the public on the principles of the U.S. Constitution, its history, and its application in contemporary life.

Skousen passed away on January 9, 2006, leaving behind a legacy of writings that continue to influence American conservative thought, particularly in areas of economics, political philosophy, and constitutional law.