Michael Munger
Senior Fellow
Michael Munger is a Professor of Political Science, Economics, and Public Policy at Duke University and Senior Fellow of the American Institute for Economic Research.
His degrees are from Davidson College, Washingon University in St. Louis, and Washington University.
Munger’s research interests include regulation, political institutions, and political economy.
Books by Michael Munger
-
•
Arthur Pigou Warned of the Failures of Government
“Pigou may have been too optimistic about the prospects for improving state action, but he had no illusions about the problem states faced in acting correctly.” ~ Michael Munger
-
•
It’s Not Only about Markets vs. the State
“Voluntary collective action” should be our motto. This obviously includes markets, to be sure. But there is no reason to cede the vitality, attractiveness, and exuberance of the non-profit independent sector to ownership by the state. Voluntary private organizations belong to everyone.
-
•
Distribution in Markets Is Always Just
It is simply false to think that production and distribution can be separated, much less that they should be.
-
•
The Origin and Meaning of Profits
There is no particular reason to expect that education or intellectual interests are an advantage in cultivating a habit of awareness of the sort Kirzner highlights. But there are very good reasons to argue that profits, deserved or not, are something that entrepreneurs should be legally entitled to seek.
-
•
Your Ticket to Capitalism Is Free
The consumer surplus that we derive from buying water, and other items, is enormous, almost incalculable. The fact that all of these products, services, and useful things are available to us at low prices seems automatic, nothing very interesting or important. In fact, the capitalist system operating in the background is performing miracles of production,…
-
•
What Can and Cannot Be Planned
No one created that muddy track; it is the result of individuals going where they want to go. But if enough people walk there, it wears out the grass and makes the ground hard and packed down. The “path” emerges, although no one planned it.
-
•
Why Population Predictions Bomb
The alarmists’ real concern is not the growth of population; it’s prosperity. Their concern is that the resources of the earth will be used up, and that humanity has to prepare by becoming fewer and poorer. But all the evidence points in the opposite direction.
-
•
Anti-Market Atavism Explained
Moral norms that served small bands of humans well 10,000 years ago — share, cooperate, punish anyone who violates the rules — are no longer very good at helping people navigate commercial society. Ask someone about price-gouging laws, or kidney sales, or generally talk about the role of price as an indispensable signal of scarcity.…
-
•
Government Is Not What Makes a Country Great
Since November 2016 several Duke University colleagues have come into my office, closed the door, and said, “Okay. You were right. Are you happy now?”
-
•
Directionalism vs. Destinationism
We can often make progress by pressing for improvement, rather than holding out for perfection. Sometimes, just the right kind of nothing is good enough.
-
•
Arthur Pigou Warned of the Failures of Government
“Pigou may have been too optimistic about the prospects for improving state action, but he had no illusions about the problem states faced in acting correctly.” ~ Michael Munger
-
•
It’s Not Only about Markets vs. the State
“Voluntary collective action” should be our motto. This obviously includes markets, to be sure. But there is no reason to cede the vitality, attractiveness, and exuberance of the non-profit independent sector to ownership by the state. Voluntary private organizations belong to everyone.
-
•
Distribution in Markets Is Always Just
It is simply false to think that production and distribution can be separated, much less that they should be.
-
•
The Origin and Meaning of Profits
There is no particular reason to expect that education or intellectual interests are an advantage in cultivating a habit of awareness of the sort Kirzner highlights. But there are very good reasons to argue that profits, deserved or not, are something that entrepreneurs should be legally entitled to seek.
-
•
Your Ticket to Capitalism Is Free
The consumer surplus that we derive from buying water, and other items, is enormous, almost incalculable. The fact that all of these products, services, and useful things are available to us at low prices seems automatic, nothing very interesting or important. In fact, the capitalist system operating in the background is performing miracles of production,…
-
•
What Can and Cannot Be Planned
No one created that muddy track; it is the result of individuals going where they want to go. But if enough people walk there, it wears out the grass and makes the ground hard and packed down. The “path” emerges, although no one planned it.
-
•
Why Population Predictions Bomb
The alarmists’ real concern is not the growth of population; it’s prosperity. Their concern is that the resources of the earth will be used up, and that humanity has to prepare by becoming fewer and poorer. But all the evidence points in the opposite direction.
-
•
Anti-Market Atavism Explained
Moral norms that served small bands of humans well 10,000 years ago — share, cooperate, punish anyone who violates the rules — are no longer very good at helping people navigate commercial society. Ask someone about price-gouging laws, or kidney sales, or generally talk about the role of price as an indispensable signal of scarcity.…
-
•
Government Is Not What Makes a Country Great
Since November 2016 several Duke University colleagues have come into my office, closed the door, and said, “Okay. You were right. Are you happy now?”
-
•
Directionalism vs. Destinationism
We can often make progress by pressing for improvement, rather than holding out for perfection. Sometimes, just the right kind of nothing is good enough.