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|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|9|23}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|9|23}}
|birth_place = [[Gotha, Florida]], U.S.
|birth_place = [[Gotha, Florida]], U.S.
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|citizenship = American
|citizenship = American
|nationality = [[United States]]
|nationality = [[United States]]
|fields = [[Political science]]<br />[[Economics]]
|fields = [[Political science]]<br>[[Economics]]
|workplaces = [[Duke University]]<br /> [[Dartmouth College]]<br /> [[University of Texas at Austin]]<br />[[UNC-Chapel Hill]]
|workplaces = [[Duke University]]<br>[[Dartmouth College]]<br>[[University of Texas at Austin]]<br>[[UNC-Chapel Hill]]
|alma_mater = [[Davidson College]]<br />[[Washington University in St. Louis]]
|alma_mater = [[Davidson College]]<br>[[Washington University in St. Louis]]
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'''Michael Curtis''' "'''Mike'''" '''Munger''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʌ|n|ɡ|ər}}; born September 23, 1958)<ref name="age">[http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/profiles/mike_munger News & Observer profile] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102055314/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/profiles/mike_munger |date=November 2, 2008 }}</ref> is an economist and a former chair of the [[political science]] department at [[Duke University]], where he continues to teach political science, public policy, and economics. He is a prolific writer, and his book ''Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practices'' is now a standard work in the field of policy analysis. In [[North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]] he was the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] candidate for [[Governor of North Carolina]].
'''Michael Curtis''' "'''Mike'''" '''Munger''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ʌ|n|ɡ|ər}}; born September 23, 1958)<ref name="age">[http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/profiles/mike_munger News & Observer profile] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102055314/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/profiles/mike_munger |date=November 2, 2008 }}</ref> is an economist and a former chair of the [[political science]] department at [[Duke University]], where he continues to teach political science, public policy, and economics. He is a prolific writer, and his book ''Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practices'' is now a standard work in the field of policy analysis. In [[North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2008|2008]] he was the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]] candidate for [[Governor of North Carolina]].


==Biography==
== Biography ==
Munger earned a B.A. in economics at [[Davidson College]] (1980), an M.A. in economics at [[Washington University in St. Louis]] (1982), and a Ph.D. in economics at Washington University (1984) for thesis titled ''Institutions and Outcomes: Two Essays on the Importance of Legislative Structure for Understanding Public Policy''. He is a past president of the [[Public Choice Society]] and (since 2013) a co-editor of ''The Independent Review''. He has been published in the ''[[American Political Science Review]]'', the ''[[American Journal of Political Science]]'', and the ''[[Journal of Politics]]'' and has had books published with the [[Cambridge University Press]] and the [[University of Michigan Press]]. Since March 2012 he has been a member of the [[Visitor|Board of Visitors]] of [[Ralston College]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ralston College|url=http://www.ralston.ac/|accessdate=April 7, 2012}}</ref> He also serves as an Adjunct Scholar at the [[Cato Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Michael Munger|url = http://www.cato.org/people/michael-munger|website = Cato Institute|publisher = |accessdate = 2015-12-15}}</ref> and as a member of the Academic Council of the [[Jack Miller Center]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Our Staff - Jack Miller Center|url = http://www.jackmillercenter.org/about-us/our-staff/|website = Jack Miller Center|accessdate = 2015-12-15|language = en-US}}</ref>
Munger earned a B.A. in economics at [[Davidson College]] (1980), an M.A. in economics at [[Washington University in St. Louis]] (1982), and a Ph.D. in economics at Washington University (1984) for thesis titled ''Institutions and Outcomes: Two Essays on the Importance of Legislative Structure for Understanding Public Policy''. He is a past president of the [[Public Choice Society]] and (since 2013) a co-editor of ''The Independent Review''. He has been published in the ''[[American Political Science Review]]'', the ''[[American Journal of Political Science]]'', and the ''[[Journal of Politics]]'' and has had books published with the [[Cambridge University Press]] and the [[University of Michigan Press]]. Since March 2012 he has been a member of the [[Visitor|Board of Visitors]] of [[Ralston College]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ralston College|url=http://www.ralston.ac/|accessdate=April 7, 2012}}</ref> He also serves as an Adjunct Scholar at the [[Cato Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web|title = Michael Munger|url = http://www.cato.org/people/michael-munger|website = Cato Institute|publisher = |accessdate = 2015-12-15}}</ref> and as a member of the Academic Council of the [[Jack Miller Center]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Our Staff - Jack Miller Center|url = http://www.jackmillercenter.org/about-us/our-staff/|website = Jack Miller Center|accessdate = 2015-12-15|language = en-US}}</ref>


He writes for the Bleeding Heart Libertarians blog<ref>{{Cite web|title = About Us - Bleeding Heart Libertarians|url = http://www.bleedingheartlibertarians.com/about-us/|website = Bleeding Heart Libertarians|accessdate = 2017-06-08|language = en-US}}</ref> and the Learn Liberty blog.<ref>{{cite web|title=Learn Liberty blog|url=http://www.learnliberty.org/speakers/michael-munger/|website=Learn Liberty|accessdate=2017-06-27}}</ref>
He writes for the Bleeding Heart Libertarians blog<ref>{{Cite web|title = About Us - Bleeding Heart Libertarians|url = http://www.bleedingheartlibertarians.com/about-us/|website = Bleeding Heart Libertarians|accessdate = 2017-06-08|language = en-US}}</ref> and the Learn Liberty blog.<ref>{{cite web|title=Learn Liberty blog|url=http://www.learnliberty.org/speakers/michael-munger/|website=Learn Liberty|accessdate=2017-06-27}}</ref>


==Career==
== Career ==
Munger has worked as a staff economist for the [[Federal Trade Commission]] and taught at [[Dartmouth College]], the [[University of Texas at Austin]], and [[UNC-Chapel Hill]] before becoming a political science professor at Duke University in 1997. In 2000, he became the head of Duke's political science department.<ref name="reason">{{cite news
Munger has worked as a staff economist for the [[Federal Trade Commission]] and taught at [[Dartmouth College]], the [[University of Texas at Austin]], and [[UNC-Chapel Hill]] before becoming a political science professor at Duke University in 1997. In 2000, he became the head of Duke's political science department.<ref name="reason">{{cite news|title = The Third Man|journal = Reason|date = 2008-10-27|url = http://www.reason.com/news/show/129671.html|accessdate = 2008-10-28 }}</ref> His research centers around elections and [[campaign finance]].<ref name="duke chronicle">{{cite news|title=Michael Munger|last=Hall|first=Christine|date=2008-10-29|journal=[[Duke Chronicle]] |url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2008/10/michael-munger |accessdate=2018-12-19 }}</ref>
| title = The Third Man
| journal = Reason
| date = 2008-10-27
| url = http://www.reason.com/news/show/129671.html
| accessdate = 2008-10-28 }}</ref> His research centers around elections and [[campaign finance]].<ref name="duke chronicle">{{cite news
|title=Michael Munger
|last=Hall
|first=Christine
|date=2008-10-29
|journal=[[Duke Chronicle]]
|url=https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2008/10/michael-munger
|accessdate=2018-12-19
}}</ref>


At Duke, Munger says he works "across the aisles – there aren't a lot of other Libertarians there."<ref name="indy weekly">{{cite news
At Duke, Munger says he works "across the aisles – there aren't a lot of other Libertarians there."<ref name="indy weekly">{{cite news| title = Mike Munger: third party, but not a third wheel| publisher = ''[[Independent Weekly]]''| date = 2008-10-15| url = http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A266945| accessdate = 2008-11-25 }}</ref>
| title = Mike Munger: third party, but not a third wheel
| publisher = ''[[Independent Weekly]]''
| date = 2008-10-15
| url = http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A266945
| accessdate = 2008-11-25 }}</ref>


Three scholars, [[Melvin Hinich]], [[Douglass North]], and [[Barry Weingast]], were reported to be heavily influential to Munger.<ref>{{cite book |last1= |first1= |authorlink1= |last2= |first2= |authorlink2= |editor1-first=Charles K. |editor1-last=Rowley |editor1-link= |editor2-last=Schneider |editor2-link= |title=The Encyclopedia of Public Choice |trans-title=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YUVMr-aFYwYC&lpg=PR1&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q&f=false |format= |accessdate= |type= |edition= |series= |volume=2 |date= |year=2004 |month= |origyear= |publisher=Springer |location= |language= |isbn= 9780792386070 |oclc= |doi= |id= |page= |pages=376–77 |at= |trans-chapter=|chapter=Biographies |chapterurl= |quote= |ref= |bibcode= |laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp=|editor2-first=Friedrich}}</ref>
Three scholars, namely [[Melvin Hinich]], [[Douglass North]] and [[Barry Weingast]], were reported to be heavily influential to Munger.<ref>{{cite book |last1= |first1= |authorlink1= |last2= |first2= |authorlink2= |editor1-first=Charles K. |editor1-last=Rowley |editor1-link= |editor2-last=Schneider |editor2-link= |title=The Encyclopedia of Public Choice |trans-title=|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YUVMr-aFYwYC&lpg=PR1&pg=PR1#v=onepage&q&f=false |format= |accessdate= |type= |edition= |series= |volume=2 |date= |year=2004 |month= |origyear= |publisher=Springer |location= |language= |isbn= 9780792386070 |oclc= |doi= |id= |page= |pages=376–77 |at= |trans-chapter=|chapter=Biographies |chapterurl= |quote= |ref= |bibcode= |laysummary= |laydate= |separator= |postscript= |lastauthoramp=|editor2-first=Friedrich}}</ref>


In 2011, Munger portrayed a security guard at the beginning of a video titled "Fight of the Century", featuring a rap battle between actors portraying economists [[John Meynard Keynes]] and [[Friedrich Hayek]], discussing the effects of government spending on the economy. As of December 2017, the video has amassed over 3.8 million views.<ref>{{cite video
In 2011, Munger portrayed a security guard at the beginning of a video titled "Fight of the Century", featuring a rap battle between actors portraying economists [[John Meynard Keynes]] and [[Friedrich Hayek]], discussing the effects of government spending on the economy. As of December 2017, the video has amassed over 3.8 million views.<ref>{{cite video| title = "Fight of the Century": Keynes vs Hayek Rap Battle Round Two| publisher = ''Econstories''| date = 2011-04-27| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTQnarzmTOc&t=501s| accessdate = 2017-12-28 }}</ref>
| title = "Fight of the Century": Keynes vs Hayek Rap Battle Round Two
| publisher = ''Econstories''
| date = 2011-04-27
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTQnarzmTOc&t=501s
| accessdate = 2017-12-28 }}</ref>


==Gubernatorial campaign==
== Gubernatorial campaign ==
Munger, feeling that [[North Carolina]] voters needed an alternative to the two party duopoly, ran as a [[Libertarian Party of North Carolina|Libertarian]] candidate for Governor of North Carolina in 2008.
Feeling that [[North Carolina]] voters needed an alternative to the two party duopoly, Munger ran as a [[Libertarian Party of North Carolina|Libertarian]] candidate for Governor of North Carolina in 2008.
Early in the year, Munger said that Democratic gubernatorial challenger [[Bev Perdue]] was a "[[Stepford Wife]]" and the Republican nominees were "circus clowns."<ref name="duke chronicle"/> Prior to May 2008, the North Carolina Libertarian Party and Munger gathered 100,000 signatures of voters in order to qualify to appear on North Carolina's ballot. They, along with the [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]], sued the state unsuccessfully over the ballot access rules. Munger appeared as an expert witness in other cases on behalf of the Green Party and the [[ACLU]].<ref name="duke chronicle"/>
Early in the year, Munger said that Democratic gubernatorial challenger [[Bev Perdue]] was a "[[Stepford Wife]]" and the Republican nominees were "circus clowns."<ref name="duke chronicle"/> Prior to May 2008, the North Carolina Libertarian Party and Munger gathered 100,000 signatures of voters in order to qualify to appear on North Carolina's ballot. They, along with the [[Green Party (United States)|Green Party]], sued the state unsuccessfully over the ballot access rules. Munger appeared as an expert witness in other cases on behalf of the Green Party and the [[ACLU]].<ref name="duke chronicle"/>


Munger appeared as one of two keynote speakers at the national Libertarian convention in [[Denver]] in May 2008.<ref name="duke chronicle"/> He later made history as the first third-party candidate to participate in a live, televised gubernatorial debate in North Carolina.<ref name="duke chronicle"/>
Munger appeared as one of two keynote speakers at the national Libertarian convention in [[Denver]] in May 2008.<ref name="duke chronicle"/> He later made history as the first third-party candidate to participate in a live, televised gubernatorial debate in North Carolina.<ref name="duke chronicle"/>


The [[Progressivism|progressive]] ''[[Independent Weekly]]'' said of Munger: "Were there no substantive differences between the major-party candidates, we'd be recommending a protest vote for Libertarian Party candidate Michael C. Munger, based on the elements of his platform that make him the self-proclaimed '[[Liberalism (US)|liberal]] in the race.'"<ref name="indy weekly 2">{{cite news
The [[Progressivism|progressive]] ''[[Independent Weekly]]'' said of Munger: "Were there no substantive differences between the major-party candidates, we'd be recommending a protest vote for Libertarian Party candidate Michael C. Munger, based on the elements of his platform that make him the self-proclaimed '[[Liberalism (US)|liberal]] in the race.'"<ref name="indy weekly 2">{{cite news| title = Statewide Offices| publisher = ''[[Independent Weekly]]''| date = 2008-10-22| url = http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A267320| accessdate = 2008-11-24 }}</ref>
| title = Statewide Offices
| publisher = ''[[Independent Weekly]]''
| date = 2008-10-22
| url = http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A267320
| accessdate = 2008-11-24 }}</ref>


On election day Munger received 121,585 votes for 2.85% of the total vote.
On election day Munger received 121,585 votes for 2.85% of the total vote.
Line 79: Line 50:
Following the election, [[Nick Gillespie]] of ''[[Reason magazine|Reason]]'' magazine wrote: "I humbly submit that Duke University political science professor Michael Munger, who ran a strong bid as a Libertarian Party candidate for governor in North Carolina, set his eyes toward an even bigger and remote target in [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012]], that stationary [[Death Star]] known as the [[White House]]."<ref>[[Nick Gillespie|Gillespie, Nick]] (2008-11-21) [http://reason.com/blog/2008/11/21/as-we-look-past-the-next-four "As We Look Past the Next Four Years of Virtually Certain Unmitigated Crapitude, Here's a Couple of Thoughts on Election 2012"], ''[[Reason magazine|Reason]]''</ref>
Following the election, [[Nick Gillespie]] of ''[[Reason magazine|Reason]]'' magazine wrote: "I humbly submit that Duke University political science professor Michael Munger, who ran a strong bid as a Libertarian Party candidate for governor in North Carolina, set his eyes toward an even bigger and remote target in [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012]], that stationary [[Death Star]] known as the [[White House]]."<ref>[[Nick Gillespie|Gillespie, Nick]] (2008-11-21) [http://reason.com/blog/2008/11/21/as-we-look-past-the-next-four "As We Look Past the Next Four Years of Virtually Certain Unmitigated Crapitude, Here's a Couple of Thoughts on Election 2012"], ''[[Reason magazine|Reason]]''</ref>


==Political positions==
== Political positions ==
Munger made education a centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign, saying that allowing more [[charter school]]s is the first thing he would do: "Rich people have choices now. I want everyone to have a choice."<ref name="charlotte observer">{{cite news
Munger made education a centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign, saying that allowing more [[charter school]]s is the first thing he would do: "Rich people have choices now. I want everyone to have a choice."<ref name="charlotte observer">{{cite news| title = McCrory, Perdue differ on charter schools| publisher = ''[[Charlotte Observer]]''| date = 2008-10-25| url = http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/277242.html| accessdate = 2008-10-28 }}{{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He would give $1,500 [[school voucher|education vouchers]] to low-income students in the poorest 40 counties of North Carolina; since most would stay in public school, this would have the effect of increasing aid to poor schools.<ref name="indy weekly"/>
| title = McCrory, Perdue differ on charter schools
| publisher = ''[[Charlotte Observer]]''
| date = 2008-10-25
| url = http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking/story/277242.html
| accessdate = 2008-10-28 }} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He would give $1,500 [[school voucher|education vouchers]] to low-income students in the poorest 40 counties of North Carolina; since most would stay in public school, this would have the effect of increasing aid to poor schools.<ref name="indy weekly"/>


Munger has taken more [[Social liberalism|socially liberal]] positions on many issues than the Democratic candidate for governor, Bev Perdue. "One reason I haven't been allowed in all the debates is that I'm taking votes from the Democrats. Sixty percent of my supporters are voting for Obama. I'll talk about gay marriage, and Perdue isn't, or doesn't want to."<ref name="reason"/> While Democratic candidate [[Bev Perdue|Perdue]] has taken a hard line on [[illegal immigration]] similar to that of [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] [[Pat McCrory]], Munger has a position more aligned with [[Barack Obama]].<ref name="wunc">{{cite news
Munger has taken more [[Social liberalism|socially liberal]] positions on many issues than the Democratic candidate for governor, Bev Perdue. "One reason I haven't been allowed in all the debates is that I'm taking votes from the Democrats. Sixty percent of my supporters are voting for Obama. I'll talk about gay marriage, and Perdue isn't, or doesn't want to."<ref name="reason"/> While Democratic candidate [[Bev Perdue|Perdue]] has taken a hard line on [[illegal immigration]] similar to that of [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] [[Pat McCrory]], Munger has a position more aligned with [[Barack Obama]].<ref name="wunc">{{cite news| title = The State of Things: Issues Roundup | publisher = ''[[WUNC (FM)|WUNC]]'' | date = 2008-10-28 | url = http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/sot1028abc.mp3/view | accessdate = 2008-10-28 }}</ref>
| title = The State of Things: Issues Roundup | publisher = ''[[WUNC (FM)|WUNC]]'' | date = 2008-10-28 | url = http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/sot1028abc.mp3/view | accessdate = 2008-10-28 }}</ref>


Munger opposes the [[death penalty]], and believes children of [[illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigrants]] should be allowed into [[University of North Carolina System]] schools and community colleges.<ref name="indy weekly 2"/> He believes that the government should do what it can to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country, but once they are here, they should be treated fairly and given access to education or an "[[apartheid]]" will result "with fertile pickings for gang recruitment and exploitation by unscrupulous employers."<ref name="indy weekly"/> He believes that more rural roads should be built rather than "urban highways."<ref name="indy weekly 2"/>
Munger opposes the [[death penalty]], and believes children of [[illegal immigration to the United States|illegal immigrants]] should be allowed into [[University of North Carolina System]] schools and community colleges.<ref name="indy weekly 2"/> He believes that the government should do what it can to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country, but once they are here, they should be treated fairly and given access to education or an "[[apartheid]]" will result "with fertile pickings for gang recruitment and exploitation by unscrupulous employers."<ref name="indy weekly"/> He believes that more rural roads should be built rather than "urban highways."<ref name="indy weekly 2"/>
Line 94: Line 59:
Munger wants to decrease the size of government and lower taxes.<ref name="indy weekly"/> He opposes the [[North Carolina Education Lottery]] and would make income taxes more [[progressive tax|progressive]] while cutting regressive taxes.<ref name="indy weekly"/>
Munger wants to decrease the size of government and lower taxes.<ref name="indy weekly"/> He opposes the [[North Carolina Education Lottery]] and would make income taxes more [[progressive tax|progressive]] while cutting regressive taxes.<ref name="indy weekly"/>


==Publications==
== Publications ==
* ''Tomorrow 3.0: Transaction Costs and the Sharing Economy'', Cambridge University Press ({{ISBN|978-1108447348}})(2018)
* ''Tomorrow 3.0: Transaction Costs and the Sharing Economy'' (2018). Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|978-1108447348}}.


==See also==
== See also ==
* [[Libertarianism in the United States]]
* [[Libertarianism in the United States]]
* [[List of economists]]
* [[List of economists]]
* [[Neoclassical liberalism]]
* [[Neoclassical liberalism]]


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* [http://www.duke.edu/~munger/ Munger's Academic Website (Duke University)]
* [http://www.duke.edu/~munger/ Munger's Academic Website (Duke University)]
* [https://fds.duke.edu/db/aas/PoliticalScience/faculty/michael.munger/files/cv.pdf Duke University PPE Program C.V.]
* [https://fds.duke.edu/db/aas/PoliticalScience/faculty/michael.munger/files/cv.pdf Duke University PPE Program C.V.]
Line 117: Line 82:


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Munger, Michael}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Munger, Michael}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:1958 births]]

Revision as of 06:08, 25 March 2019

Michael Munger
Born (1958-09-23) September 23, 1958 (age 65)
Gotha, Florida, U.S.
NationalityUnited States
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma materDavidson College
Washington University in St. Louis
Known forContributions to bleeding-heart libertarian theory
Scientific career
FieldsPolitical science
Economics
InstitutionsDuke University
Dartmouth College
University of Texas at Austin
UNC-Chapel Hill

Michael Curtis "Mike" Munger (/ˈmʌnɡər/; born September 23, 1958)[1] is an economist and a former chair of the political science department at Duke University, where he continues to teach political science, public policy, and economics. He is a prolific writer, and his book Analyzing Policy: Choices, Conflicts, and Practices is now a standard work in the field of policy analysis. In 2008 he was the Libertarian candidate for Governor of North Carolina.

Biography

Munger earned a B.A. in economics at Davidson College (1980), an M.A. in economics at Washington University in St. Louis (1982), and a Ph.D. in economics at Washington University (1984) for thesis titled Institutions and Outcomes: Two Essays on the Importance of Legislative Structure for Understanding Public Policy. He is a past president of the Public Choice Society and (since 2013) a co-editor of The Independent Review. He has been published in the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science, and the Journal of Politics and has had books published with the Cambridge University Press and the University of Michigan Press. Since March 2012 he has been a member of the Board of Visitors of Ralston College.[2] He also serves as an Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute[3] and as a member of the Academic Council of the Jack Miller Center.[4]

He writes for the Bleeding Heart Libertarians blog[5] and the Learn Liberty blog.[6]

Career

Munger has worked as a staff economist for the Federal Trade Commission and taught at Dartmouth College, the University of Texas at Austin, and UNC-Chapel Hill before becoming a political science professor at Duke University in 1997. In 2000, he became the head of Duke's political science department.[7] His research centers around elections and campaign finance.[8]

At Duke, Munger says he works "across the aisles – there aren't a lot of other Libertarians there."[9]

Three scholars, namely Melvin Hinich, Douglass North and Barry Weingast, were reported to be heavily influential to Munger.[10]

In 2011, Munger portrayed a security guard at the beginning of a video titled "Fight of the Century", featuring a rap battle between actors portraying economists John Meynard Keynes and Friedrich Hayek, discussing the effects of government spending on the economy. As of December 2017, the video has amassed over 3.8 million views.[11]

Gubernatorial campaign

Feeling that North Carolina voters needed an alternative to the two party duopoly, Munger ran as a Libertarian candidate for Governor of North Carolina in 2008. Early in the year, Munger said that Democratic gubernatorial challenger Bev Perdue was a "Stepford Wife" and the Republican nominees were "circus clowns."[8] Prior to May 2008, the North Carolina Libertarian Party and Munger gathered 100,000 signatures of voters in order to qualify to appear on North Carolina's ballot. They, along with the Green Party, sued the state unsuccessfully over the ballot access rules. Munger appeared as an expert witness in other cases on behalf of the Green Party and the ACLU.[8]

Munger appeared as one of two keynote speakers at the national Libertarian convention in Denver in May 2008.[8] He later made history as the first third-party candidate to participate in a live, televised gubernatorial debate in North Carolina.[8]

The progressive Independent Weekly said of Munger: "Were there no substantive differences between the major-party candidates, we'd be recommending a protest vote for Libertarian Party candidate Michael C. Munger, based on the elements of his platform that make him the self-proclaimed 'liberal in the race.'"[12]

On election day Munger received 121,585 votes for 2.85% of the total vote.

Following the election, Nick Gillespie of Reason magazine wrote: "I humbly submit that Duke University political science professor Michael Munger, who ran a strong bid as a Libertarian Party candidate for governor in North Carolina, set his eyes toward an even bigger and remote target in 2012, that stationary Death Star known as the White House."[13]

Political positions

Munger made education a centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign, saying that allowing more charter schools is the first thing he would do: "Rich people have choices now. I want everyone to have a choice."[14] He would give $1,500 education vouchers to low-income students in the poorest 40 counties of North Carolina; since most would stay in public school, this would have the effect of increasing aid to poor schools.[9]

Munger has taken more socially liberal positions on many issues than the Democratic candidate for governor, Bev Perdue. "One reason I haven't been allowed in all the debates is that I'm taking votes from the Democrats. Sixty percent of my supporters are voting for Obama. I'll talk about gay marriage, and Perdue isn't, or doesn't want to."[7] While Democratic candidate Perdue has taken a hard line on illegal immigration similar to that of Republican Pat McCrory, Munger has a position more aligned with Barack Obama.[15]

Munger opposes the death penalty, and believes children of illegal immigrants should be allowed into University of North Carolina System schools and community colleges.[12] He believes that the government should do what it can to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the country, but once they are here, they should be treated fairly and given access to education or an "apartheid" will result "with fertile pickings for gang recruitment and exploitation by unscrupulous employers."[9] He believes that more rural roads should be built rather than "urban highways."[12]

Munger wants to decrease the size of government and lower taxes.[9] He opposes the North Carolina Education Lottery and would make income taxes more progressive while cutting regressive taxes.[9]

Publications

  • Tomorrow 3.0: Transaction Costs and the Sharing Economy (2018). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1108447348.

See also

References

  1. ^ News & Observer profile Archived November 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Ralston College". Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  3. ^ "Michael Munger". Cato Institute. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  4. ^ "Our Staff - Jack Miller Center". Jack Miller Center. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  5. ^ "About Us - Bleeding Heart Libertarians". Bleeding Heart Libertarians. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  6. ^ "Learn Liberty blog". Learn Liberty. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
  7. ^ a b "The Third Man". Reason. 2008-10-27. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  8. ^ a b c d e Hall, Christine (2008-10-29). "Michael Munger". Duke Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Mike Munger: third party, but not a third wheel". Independent Weekly. 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-11-25. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Rowley, Charles K.; Schneider, Friedrich, eds. (2004). "Biographies". The Encyclopedia of Public Choice. Vol. 2. Springer. pp. 376–77. ISBN 9780792386070. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |laydate=, |separator=, |laysummary=, |month=, |chapterurl=, and |lastauthoramp= (help)
  11. ^ "Fight of the Century": Keynes vs Hayek Rap Battle Round Two. Econstories. 2011-04-27. Retrieved 2017-12-28. {{cite AV media}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b c "Statewide Offices". Independent Weekly. 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2008-11-24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Gillespie, Nick (2008-11-21) "As We Look Past the Next Four Years of Virtually Certain Unmitigated Crapitude, Here's a Couple of Thoughts on Election 2012", Reason
  14. ^ "McCrory, Perdue differ on charter schools". Charlotte Observer. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-28. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)[dead link]
  15. ^ "The State of Things: Issues Roundup". WUNC. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-28. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

External links

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