Jeffrey Miron

Jeffrey Miron is recognized for his work in economics, particularly in the field of libertarian economic policy. Miron serves as a senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies in the Economics Department at Harvard University and holds the position of vice president for research at the Cato Institute. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and mathematics from Swarthmore College and a doctorate in economics with a specialization in game theory from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Miron has served on the faculty at the University of Michigan, as a visiting professor at MIT Sloan School of Management, and as chairman of the Department of Economics at Boston University.

Miron's research focuses on the economics of libertarianism, with a particular emphasis on the economics of illegal drugs. He has studied the effects of drug criminalization and advocates for the legalization of all drugs. Miron was among the economists who opposed the federal government bailout plan during the financial crisis, arguing that struggling companies should be allowed to go bankrupt rather than receive government assistance. He has proposed policy reforms including cutting entitlements, freezing regulation, and implementing a flat tax on consumption to support economic recovery.

Miron is the author of numerous scientific articles and four books, including "Drug War Crimes: The Consequences of Prohibition," "The Economics of Seasonal Cycles," and "Libertarianism, from A to Z." In his writing, Miron explores topics such as prostitution, drug policy, financial crises, government bailouts, abortion, and the War on Terror, analyzing the costs and benefits of government intervention. His work has appeared in refereed journals and in op-eds for outlets such as Boston Herald, Boston Globe, CNN.com, NYTimes.com, and Forbes.com.

Miron's commentary on economic policy has been featured on CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox, BBC radio, and in various other media worldwide. He has appeared in documentaries including "The Culture High" and "The Union: The Business Behind Getting High." His 12-part YouTube lecture series on libertarian public policy adapts ideas from his books for a broader audience. Miron is also known for his teaching, with his course "A Libertarian Perspective on Economic and Social Policy" attracting significant student interest at Harvard.

Miron has received fellowships from the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Earhart Foundation, and the Sloan Foundation. He is known for providing clear analyses of policy proposals, illustrating their effects on businesses and society, and contributing to public discourse on economic policy, government intervention, and American fiscal policy.