The Importance of Fellow Travelers

Fellow travelers are often treated as annoying gadflies, whose only effect is to distract the hard core of a group. However, they serve in a number of underappreciated roles. In the Austrian case, they help to bridge the gap between the mainstream and the Austrian school. Economists like Leland Yeager, who sympathizes with market process theory, can make a marginalized movement appear more respectable to the mainstream. They can also help bridge gaps and create dialogue between different heterodox movements. For example, Theodore Burczak has recently attempted to synthesize Marx and Hayek, provoking conversation between Marxist and Austrian economists. Most importantly, such people help prevent groupthink and insularity within a school of thought.