Our Programs
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Market Order: The Science of Human Action and Exchange
The Market Order program is our flagship academic program, a two-month, 24-lecture course that develops a rigorous understanding of economics as the science of human action. Grounded in praxeology, it examines specialization and trade, mediums of exchange, market prices, and the catallactic order that emerges from individuals pursuing their own ends.
Program Structure- Join us: In person in Los Angeles or remotely
- Duration: 2 months, 8 Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM
- Apply: Seats are limited. Admission is selective.
- Tuition: Fully Funded
Fall Cohort: October 3 – November 28, 2026 (Break October 31)
Apply to the Market Order Program
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Anarchic Order: The Science of Proprietary Governance
The Anarchic Order program is a one-month intensive program consisting of 12 lectures delivered over four Saturdays. The course examines the foundations and viability of social order without centralized political authority. It analyzes competing systems of governance and explores how polycentric institutions produce security, resolve disputes, and adapt through competition. Taught by leading scholars, the program challenges conventional assumptions and advances a systematic understanding of governance beyond the state.
Program Structure- Join us: In person in Los Angeles or remotely
- Duration: 1 Month, 4 Saturdays from 11 AM – 2 PM
- Apply: Seats are limited. Admission is selective.
- Tuition: Fully Funded
Fall Cohort: August 1 – August 22, 2026
Apply to the Anarchic Order Program -
Menger Cafe
An intellectual hangout for readers, students, alumni, and friends of the Carl Menger Institute in Los Angeles. In a coffeehouse setting. Open discussion of human action, proprietary governance, and praxeonomy.
Program Structure
- Join us: In person in Los Angeles
- Duration: 1 hour
- Sign up: Seats limited
Coming June
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Menger Salon
A monthly evening lecture followed by Q&A, in an after-hours social setting. Each lecture takes up an idea drawn from human action, proprietary governance, or praxeonomy.
Program Structure
- Join us: In person in Los Angeles
- Duration: 1 hour
- Sign up: Seats limited.
Coming September
The Eight Pillars of Market Order
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Pillar I
Human Action and the Fundamentals of Social Order
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Pillar II
History and Methodology
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Pillar III
The Division of Labor and Medium of Exchange
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Pillar IV
Catallaxy and Market Coordination
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Pillar V
Market Institutions and the Evolution of Human Cooperation
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Pillar VI
The Myth of Market Failure
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Pillar VII
Governance and Property in a Polycentric Order
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Pillar VIII
Praxeonomic Ethics and Philanthropy
Faculty
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Daron O. Djerdjian
Founder & President
Teaching Associate Professor, UCLA
Ph.D., Economics, Syracuse University
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David D. Friedman
Professor Emeritus, Santa Clara University school of Law
Ph.D., Theoretical Physics, University of Chicago
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Michael Huemer
Professor of Philosophy, University of Colorado Boulder
Ph.D., Philosophy, Rutgers University
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Walter Block
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair, Loyola University New Orleans
Ph.D., Economics, Columbia University
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Mark Skousen
Doti-Spogli Chair in Free Enterprise, Chapman University’s Argyros School of Business and Economics
Ph.D., Economics, George Washington University
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Thaddeus Russell
Historian, Founder of Unregistered Academy
Ph.D., History, Columbia University
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Per Bylund
Senior Fellow, Mises Institute. Johnny D. Pope Chair and Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business
Ph.D., Applied Economics, University of Missouri -
David Gordon
Senior fellow, Mises Institute
Ph.D., Intellectual History, UCLA
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Robert Murphy
Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute. Senior Fellow, Mises Institute
Ph.D., Economics, New York University
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Mark Thornton
Senior Fellow, Mises Institute
Ph.D., Economics, Auburn University
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Łukasz Dominiak
Associate Professor of Political Philosophy, Nicolaus Copernicus University. Fellow, Mises Institute
Ph.D., Political Philosophy, Nicolaus Copernicus University
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Matthew J. Geiger
Ph.D. student, Economics, Rey Juan Carlos University
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Our Purpose
To invest in a new generation of students who understand how economic freedom, voluntary exchange, and market institutions create prosperity and peaceful social order. The Carl Menger Institute exists to cultivate the thinkers and leaders who will carry these ideas into the future with intellectual depth, courage, and resolve.
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Our History
Founded in 2024 by Professor Daron Djerdjian alongside his students Ethan Akimoto, Peter Vartanian, and Matthew Geiger, the Carl Menger Institute was established in response to an academic culture increasingly shaped by conformity, and ideological indoctrination. The Institute is committed to advancing freedom of thought, intellectual progress, and a scholarly environment grounded in open inquiry rather than enforced uniformity.
Testimonials
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"Professor Djerdjian unequivocally changed the direction of my son's life."
- Thomas G. (Parent)
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"The institute's reach extends way beyond economics, although economics is at the heart of every discussion. I cannot emphasize enough how rare an opportunity like this is."
- Ablai K.
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"Austrian Economics is one of the only classes that I still think about on a weekly basis and find myself discussing with others 8+ years after graduating."
- Lauren M. C. P. (Former student of Prof. Djerdjian)
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"Austrian Economics is the single course that proposed ways of thinking I still use daily in my work in equity markets"
- Charlie M. (Former student of Prof. Djerdjian)
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"I disagreed with almost every economic philosophy he proposed — yet in doing so, I had to interrogate my own beliefs to a level never repeated in any other course"
- Jaydon L. (Former student of Prof. Djerdjian)
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"Djerdjian is the actual GOAT. He's made me into the student and Econ enthusiast I am today."
- Tommy W. (Former student of Prof. Djerdjian)