Chicagonomics explores the history and development of classical liberalism as taught and explored at the University of Chicago. Ebenstein's tenth book in the history of economic and political thought, it deals specifically in the area of classical liberalism, examining the ideas of Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman, and is the first comprehensive history of economics at the University of Chicago from the founding of the University in 1892 until the present. The reader will learn why Chicago had such influence, to what extent different schools of thought in economics existed at Chicago, the Chicago tradition, vision, and what Chicago economic perspectives have to say about current economic and social circumstances.

Ebenstein enlightens the personal and intellectual relationships among leading figures in economics at the University of Chicago, including Jacob Viner, Frank Knight, Henry Simons, Milton Friedman, George Stigler, Aaron Director, and Friedrich Hayek. He recasts classical liberal thought from Adam Smith to the present.

Preface

Introduction

1. Roots in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

2. Rockefeller's University and the Department of Political Economy

3. Jacob Viner as Classical Liberal

4. Frank Knight to Chicago

5. Chicago and Austrian Economics in the 1930s

6. Henry Simons on Progressive Taxation

7. Cowles Commission and Keynesians

8. The Postwar Chicago School of Economics

9. Chicago Economists in Academia

10. Law, Economics, and Political Philosophy

11. Hayek at Chicago: Philosopher of Classical Liberalism

12. Friedman as Economist and Public Intellectual

13. The 1980s Crescendo and Contemporary Libertarianism


Conclusion

Appendix. Friedman on Hayek Interview


Samuelson on Friedman Letter

Bibliographical Essay

Notes

Index