Alexander Hamilton as Economist

Alexander Hamilton is often viewed as a fan of “big government,” public debt, and fiat money. Hamilton has been misused by statists, who often embrace him, and abused by classical liberals, who often disparage him. A fair verdict shows that he was an accomplished political economist—an astute synthesizer of principles and policies—and correct ones. His unique combination of talents marks him as an original and underappreciated practitioner of wise economic-financial policymaking.