Harvard Professor Benjamin Friedman, macro economist and author

Ideas and Lives

Professor Friedman describes his upbringing in Louisville, Kentucky, including the influences of his father and the family business as well as a special English teacher's contributions to his ability to write well. He recounts his introduction to economics as a Harvard graduate, his gravitating toward economics at Cambridge University, and his early and continuing interest in macroeconomics. He discusses the changing controversies relating to monetary and fiscal policy. Professor Friedman highlights how his early experiences at Morgan Stanley influenced his understanding of the bond market's role in the macroeconomy. Recognizing the limited literature on why economic growth is important, Professor Friedman decided to write The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth. His latest book is Religion and the Rise of Capitalism.