Milton Friedman was an American economist and statistician. He won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1976 for his work on monetary history, stabilization policy, and consumption analysis. His ideas are still relevant today, even if his theories often contradict the popular wisdom of the time. These include the complexity of stabilization policies and the role of monetary policy. If you’re an aspiring economist, a brief look at Friedman’s work may be worthwhile.
Influence of monetary
Milton Friedman argued that the central bank should not be allowed to expand the money supply unless the inflation rate falls to a certain level. While inflation is an unwelcome side-effect of a deflationary economy, it can be countered by maintaining the level of liquidity. Nevertheless, Milton Friedman considered a pure gold standard an impractical solution, since it can only limit the growth of the money supply and not prevent deflation or recession.
During his formative years of monetarism, Friedman’s views on monetary policy were influenced by the work of his Chicago colleague, Lloyd Mints. These two economists were closely associated during the development of Friedman’s monetarist views, and Mints’ contributions were influential in shaping Friedman’s monetary framework. The authors cite these sources as evidence of Friedman’s influence on his monetary views.
Contributions to macroeconomics
While he has been credited with establishing the monetary theory of the United States, Friedman has also contributed to many other fields of economics. In his influential work, the consumption function and the demand for money, Friedman pushed back against the Keynesian consensus. He also worked on monetary history, the dynamics of monetary policy transmission, and the case for a money growth rule. His influence can also be seen in monetarist policy experiments in the early 1980s.
In addition to his work in economics, Friedman was also a prolific writer and served on the boards of the American Economic Association and the Mont Pelerin Society. In fact, he was so influential in the field of economics that he was elected vice-president of the Western Economic Association in 1977 and was president of the American Economic Association in 1967. He also held several posts on the American Economic Review and Econometrica board. In addition, he was a member of the advisory boards of the Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking from 1968 to the mid-1980s.
Methodology of positive economics
The Methodology of Positive Economics by Milton Friedman was written in 1953 and remains one of the most influential and cited pieces of methodological writing in twentieth-century economics. Its basic principles are still relevant today, even though the economy of the post-World War II era has changed considerably. This essay is a critical reading for any student of economics, as it challenges many commonly held beliefs.
While the paper is not as dense as some other works of philosophy of economics, it still manages to make an important point: the idea that a market economy can’t exist without the market is a very basic one. For this reason, economists must adopt a “free market” approach, even if it means sacrificing a large portion of the economy. Friedman’s work is a model of the economy, and it can be said to be a fundamental part of the concept of freedom.
Contributions to politics
One of the many enduring legacies of the great economist is his work on public policy. His dissertation, co-authored with future Nobel laureate Simon Kuznets, suggested that the rise of professional licensing requirements had led to an increase in the cost of expert services. In 1946, he also wrote a pamphlet titled “Roof or Ceiling?” arguing that California rent regulations were harming low-income families.
Another of Friedman’s most influential books is the 1963 monetary history of the United States, co-authored with his wife, Anna J. Schwartz. In this book, Friedman outlined his theory of income taxation and became a household name. He also co-wrote several books with his wife, who was a prominent economist. Friedman also published a memoir that chronicles his life. A lifelong friend, W. Allen Wallis, recommended Friedman’s work to President Kennedy, and his wife co-wrote it.