J.D. Vance's Interpretation of Alexander Hamilton's Economic Policies Challenged by Duke Professor
Michael Munger, a Professor of Political Science and Economics at Duke University, has critiqued Senator J.D. Vance's recent assertion that American economic policy on the right is shifting towards an 'Alexander Hamilton' tradition, emphasizing mercantilism over Milton Friedman's laissez-faire approach. Vance, in a July 2026 interview, suggested that a Hamiltonian suite of policies, including tariffs and subsidies, is necessary to protect and build domestic industries, arguing it has historically worked for America and will again. Munger contends that Vance's interpretation of Hamilton's economic philosophy, particularly regarding tariffs and industrial policy, is inaccurate. According to Munger, Hamilton's primary motivation for tariffs was revenue generation for the nascent federal government, not broad protectionism. Hamilton also supported 'bounties' (export subsidies) for nascent industries but viewed them as temporary measures to overcome initial disadvantages, not as a basis for open-ended industria... 
