Economics & Beyond with Rob Johnson Perry Mehrling: Charles P. Kindleberger and the Dollar System
Jan 26, 2023
Boston University economic professor Perry Mehrling discusses his recently released book on Charles P. Kindleberger, who shaped the global dollar system. The podcast covers Kindleberger's early influences, his role in the reconstruction of Germany and Austria, the positive role of multinational corporations, differences between Kindleberger and Hyman Minsky, and encounters with economists and central bankers.
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Kindleberger's Resilient Early Career
- Charles P. Kindleberger's early career was shaped by his resilience through the Great Depression and WWII.
- He adapted through government, intelligence, and international roles before settling into academia.
Kindleberger's Unique Academic Role
- Kindleberger's approach differed from peers at MIT in the 1950s, blending policy experience with economic thought.
- His interdisciplinary, practical mindset contrasted with emerging heavy mathematical modeling in economics.
Security Clearance Lost Amid McCarthyism
- Kindleberger lost his security clearance in 1951 due to associations during McCarthy era.
- Despite this, MIT supported and tenured him, showing loyalty amidst political challenges.