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Author Profile

Michael Munger

mungowitz
Professor Munger received his Ph.D. in economics at Washington University in St. Louis in 1984. Following his graduate training, he worked as a staff economist at the Federal Trade Commission. His first teaching job was in the economics department at Dartmouth College. That job was followed by appointments in the political science Department at the University of Texas at Austin (1986-1990) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1990-1997). At UNC he directed the MPA Program, which trains public service professionals, especially city and county management.

He moved to Duke in 1997, and was chair of the political science department from 2000 through 2010. He has won three university-wide teaching awards (the Howard Johnson Award, an NAACP "Image" Award for teaching about race, and admission to the Bass Society of Teaching Fellows). He is currently director of the interdisciplinary PPE Program at Duke University.

His research interests include the study of the morality of exchange and the working of legislative institutions in producing policy. Much of his recent work has been in philosophy, examining the concept of truly voluntary exchange, a concept for which he coined the term "euvoluntary." He has created a new blog devoted to investigating examples of, and controversies about, euvoluntary exchange. His primary blog, Kids Prefer Cheese, is an irreverent look at policy, politics, and the foibles of pundits everywhere.

Articles by Michael Munger


Academic Freedom and Tenure: It’s More Complicated Than People Think

Aug 30, 2021 · Michael Munger · Comments Off on Academic Freedom and Tenure: It’s More Complicated Than People Think

This essay is based on a talk given by Professor Munger at a Martin Center luncheon on July 15, 2021. What is academic freedom, and who has it? The question … Continue reading “Academic Freedom and Tenure: It’s More Complicated Than People Think”


Safe Spaces: Balancing Academic Freedom and Wokeness

Jul 28, 2021 · Michael Munger · Comments Off on Safe Spaces: Balancing Academic Freedom and Wokeness

The following is adapted from an address given at a Martin Center luncheon on July 15, 2021. Finally, I come to my main argument: Safe spaces. I want to come … Continue reading “Safe Spaces: Balancing Academic Freedom and Wokeness”


Our higher education system fails leftist students.

Aug 6, 2014 · Michael Munger · Comments Off on Our higher education system fails leftist students.

Our higher education system fails leftist students.

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    Recently, one of the departments on my campus invited an academic “expert,” who, among other specializations, “advise[s] on the ethical aspects of telescope siting,” to give a talk entitled “How … Continue reading “Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us”

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  • A New Anti-DEI Petition for UNC Medical School Feb 2, 2023

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    Recently, one of the departments on my campus invited an academic “expert,” who, among other specializations, “advise[s] on the ethical aspects of telescope siting,” to give a talk entitled “How … Continue reading “Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us”

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Recent Articles

  • App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee Feb 6, 2023

    Last May, Inside Higher Ed reported that Appalachian State University was building a summer ’22 “working group” to address how the institution solicits and evaluates “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) … Continue reading “App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee”

  • Why do we need law schools? Feb 5, 2023

    To the editor: In the article ‘A Better Way to Teach Law’, Mr. Andersson makes a good case for the value of getting people into the workforce sooner, I also … Continue reading “Why do we need law schools?”

  • Lowery “outplayed” by UT-Austin administrators Feb 5, 2023

    To the editor: Lots of talk, then… Richard Lowery is an associate professor of finance at the University of Texas at Austin. He is an applied game theorist and studies … Continue reading “Lowery “outplayed” by UT-Austin administrators”

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