University Of Chicago Clashes Over Milton Friedman

Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Professors at the University of Chicago say a proposed $200 million research center named for Milton Friedman, the late economist championed by conservatives, would enshrine the free-market philosophies they say have brought the global economy to the brink of ruin.

More than 100 faculty members signed a letter in June protesting plans for the Milton Friedman Institute as a misuse of university funds and an endorsement of the so-called Chicago School of economics, which favors limiting the role of government in the economy. The faculty held a senate meeting, the first in more than a decade, today to discuss the institute and adjourned without taking any action.

``There was a robust debate on all sides of the issue,'' university spokeswoman Julie Peterson said in an interview. ``I expect the administration and the dean and the faculty that proposed the institute to take time to consider the issues raised in the meeting.''

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Comments

[zeitgeists]

larryjackshon,

You skip over Naomi’s revelation of the massive CI of A sponsored, bloody purges that took place during the 1970’s, in Argentina and Chile, so that the Chicago Boys could ‘Clean the Slate’ in preparation for Friedman’s, ubiquitous religion of the Multi-National. Is this the section of history that is too repugnant, and must be brushed aside as bias on Naomi's part?

Isn’t this the same ‘Shock & Awe’, Cleaning of the Slate – Corporate sponsored Death-Squads - strategy that is currently being implemented and played out within Iraq…euphe­mistically labeled as: The Sunni-Awakening, just to mention the obvious?

It’s the Bush – McCain neocon religion of the Corporatarchs that have slaughtered and trashed the world in its pursuit of a xenophobic bottom line; their bloody finger prints are all over the map! Barack’s intellect will only need to wrench loose their bloody grip.

Peace, Best Wishes and Hope

[zeitgeists]

larryjackshon,

You skip over Naomi’s revelation of the massive CIA sponsored, bloody purges that took place during the 1970’s, in Argentina and Chile, so that the Chicago Boys could ‘Clean the Slate’ in preparation for Friedman’s, ubiquitous Multi-National. Is this the section of history that is too repugnant, and must be brushed aside as bias on her part?

Isn’t this the same ‘Shock & Awe’, cleaning the slate – Corporate sponsored Death Squads - strategy that is currently being implemented and played out within Iraq…euphe­mistically labeled as: The Sunni Awakening, just to mention the obvious?

It’s the Bush – McCain neocon religion of the Corporatarchs that have slaughtered and trashed the world in its pursuit of a xenophobic bottom line…their bloody finger prints are all over the map!

Barack’s intellect will only need to wrench loose their bloody grip.

Peace, Best Wishes and Hope

[moAb]

Perhaps they should consider naming the center after the late Professor Hyman Minsky?
His recently republished book "STABILIZING AN UNSTABLE ECONOMY" makes it clear not only why our current crisis occurred and that in fact it would happen. Prof. Minsky put forth solutions as well.

[larryjackshon]

Naomi Klien's book "The Shock Doctrine: Rise of Disaster Capitalism" gave me a glimpse in to what "Friedmanism" is supposed to be. I'm sure her treatment of it is biased, but, the point that screams out to me is that there are no examples of "Friedmanism" being 'successful' (If 'successful' is *not* measured by a few at the top becoming wealthy and everybody else less wealthy).

What exactly draws people to 'Friedmanism' when its history is quite clear?

Is it just rich white guys (and their ideological adherents) vs everybody else?

Friedman's adherents make clever statements distancing themselves from the ills that befall nations that follow their dictates.

[PerryWhite]

There would be less opposition if they named it the Fidel Castro Institute.

[DS3M]

That's an utterly ridiculous and absurd statement. Clearly you didn't attend. I did, capt., and while some may have, the faculty has their wits about them, and unlike Friedman's followers in the high posts of the failing banks and firms that appreciated his "Laissez-Faire" advocacy, are acting before something else absurd happens in a bright man's name.

[Cicero44]

I like how you pretend you're advocating on behalf of Friedman. It's a really great campaign to defend a "bright man's name." Get over yourself. This has more to do with the Humanities not getting $$$$ and the SSD raking in cash because of high profile accomplishments and faculty. Deal with it.