# Rudolf Hilferding

> German politician (1877-1941)

**Wikidata**: [Q57848](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57848)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Hilferding)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rudolf-hilferding

## Summary
Rudolf Hilferding (1877–1941) was a German-Austrian economist, politician, and writer who played a pivotal role in the socialist movement during the early 20th century. He is best known for his work *Finance Capital* (1910), which analyzed the relationship between banking and industrial capitalism, and for serving as Finance Minister of Germany during the Weimar Republic.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 10, 1877, in Vienna, Austria
- **Nationality**: German (later Austrian)
- **Education**: Studied medicine at the University of Vienna
- **Known for**: Marxist economic theory, political leadership in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), and his role as Finance Minister
- **Employer(s)**: University of Vienna (student), German government (Finance Minister), various socialist publications
- **Field(s)**: Economics, politics, journalism

## Contributions
- **Finance Capital (1910)**: Hilferding's seminal work, which expanded Marxist theory by examining the role of banks and financial institutions in capitalist economies. It influenced later economic thought, including the work of Vladimir Lenin and other Marxist theorists.
- **Political Leadership**: Served as Finance Minister in the First Stresemann cabinet (1923) and later in the Weimar Republic, where he attempted to stabilize Germany's economy during hyperinflation.
- **Journalism and Writing**: Contributed to socialist publications, advocating for workers' rights and economic reform.
- **Academic Influence**: His theories on finance capitalism remain foundational in economic and political science discourse.

## FAQs
**What is Rudolf Hilferding best known for?**
Rudolf Hilferding is best known for his book *Finance Capital* (1910), which analyzed the intersection of banking and industrial capitalism, and for his role as Finance Minister of Germany during the Weimar Republic.

**Where did Rudolf Hilferding study?**
Hilferding studied medicine at the University of Vienna, one of the oldest universities in the German-speaking world.

**What political roles did Rudolf Hilferding hold?**
He served as Finance Minister in the First Stresemann cabinet (1923) and was a prominent member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

**How did Hilferding influence economic theory?**
His work *Finance Capital* expanded Marxist theory by focusing on the role of financial institutions in capitalist economies, influencing later thinkers like Lenin.

**What was Hilferding's role during the Weimar Republic?**
As Finance Minister, he worked to stabilize Germany's economy during the hyperinflation crisis of the early 1920s.

## Why They Matter
Hilferding's work bridged economic theory and political practice, shaping socialist thought and policy during a turbulent period in European history. His analysis of finance capitalism provided a framework for understanding modern economic systems, influencing both academic discourse and political movements. His leadership during the Weimar Republic demonstrated the challenges of implementing socialist policies in a capitalist economy, leaving a lasting impact on economic and political theory.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Finance Capital* (1910), a foundational text in Marxist economic theory.
- Serving as Finance Minister of Germany during the Weimar Republic.
- Contributing to socialist publications and advocating for workers' rights.
- Expanding Marxist theory to include the role of financial institutions in capitalism.
- Being a key figure in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Rudolf Hilferding was born on August 10, 1877, in Vienna, Austria. He studied medicine at the University of Vienna, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the German-speaking world. During his time at the university, he became involved in socialist circles, which shaped his later political and economic views.

### Career and Political Roles
Hilferding's career spanned academia, journalism, and politics. He is best known for his work *Finance Capital* (1910), which analyzed the relationship between banking and industrial capitalism. This work became a cornerstone of Marxist economic theory and influenced later thinkers, including Vladimir Lenin.

In addition to his academic contributions, Hilferding was actively involved in politics. He served as Finance Minister in the First Stresemann cabinet in 1923 and later in the Weimar Republic. During his tenure, he worked to stabilize Germany's economy during the hyperinflation crisis, demonstrating his commitment to both economic theory and practical governance.

### Contributions to Economic Theory
Hilferding's *Finance Capital* expanded Marxist theory by examining the role of financial institutions in capitalist economies. He argued that banks and financial markets played a crucial role in the concentration of capital and the development of monopolies. This analysis provided a new lens through which to view capitalist economies and influenced subsequent economic thought.

### Journalism and Advocacy
Throughout his career, Hilferding contributed to various socialist publications, advocating for workers' rights and economic reform. His writings were instrumental in shaping socialist thought and policy during the early 20th century.

### Legacy and Influence
Hilferding's work and political leadership left a lasting impact on economic and political theory. His analysis of finance capitalism remains relevant in understanding modern economic systems, and his political career demonstrated the challenges of implementing socialist policies in a capitalist economy. His contributions continue to be studied and debated in academic and political circles.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Catalog of the German National Library
3. BnF authorities
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5. International Standard Name Identifier
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8. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10622/ARCH00573)
9. SNAC
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13. Munzinger Personen
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Hilferding%20Rudolf)
16. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12278127g)
17. CONOR.SI
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