Bourgeoisie Quote by André Gunder Frank
““Arnold Harberger, Milton Friedman & Co. Inc., your modest proposal of partial equilibrium for the general good is not without its own internal contradictions. Moreover, you cannot take complete credit for this program of equilibriation. Although you and your colleagues and disciples at the Department of Economics of the University of Chicago may have dedicated two decades to the design of the program and the technical training of its executors, it took the approach of another major economic and political crisis of capitalism, analogous to that of the 1930's, to mobilize the political support and the military force to instal a government prepared to put your program of equilibration and your equilibrating experts to work in Chile - and you, Milton Friedman, are still waiting to put your part of the same program, complete with Brazilian style indexing, into practice at home for the glory and benefit of the bourgeoisie in the USA, whom you so faithfully serve as paid executors and executioners.””
About This Quote
The quote critiques Chicago School economists for proposing market‑based equilibrium solutions while ignoring the political and coercive forces needed to impose them, highlighting contradictions between theory and practice.
In simple terms: Critique of neoliberal equilibrium theory
Key Takeaway
Economic models often mask power dynamics
Themes
Political economy
Neoliberalism
Economic theory
Power and coercion
Historical context
Mood
Skeptical
Critical
Analytical
Type
Political commentary
Academic critique
When to use this quote
- Designing economic policy
- Academic debates
- Political reform
- International development
- Domestic policy implementation
Key Concepts
Equilibrium theory
Chicago School
State intervention
Ideological bias
Practical Applications
- Policy analysis
- Historical critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do power structures shape economic theory?
- Can equilibrium models ever be politically neutral?
A Different Perspective
null
