Amity Shlaes
Amity Shlaes
Amity Shlaes is an American author, columnist, and economic historian, known for her work on the impact of historical events on modern economic policies. Born on September 10, 1960, in New York City, Shlaes gained recognition for her insightful analysis of the Great Depression and the New Deal era in her best-known book, "The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression" (2007). Her writing focuses on economic history, offering a critical view of government intervention and its long-term effects on economic growth. Shlaes is also a senior fellow at the George W. Bush Institute, where she works on public policy issues, particularly those related to economic freedom.
Shlaes has written for numerous prestigious outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, where she served as a columnist and editor. She also contributes to Bloomberg, National Review, and other publications. As a writer and scholar, she advocates for free-market principles, emphasizing the importance of individual liberty and economic freedom. In addition to her economic work, Shlaes has written several books exploring the intersection of history, politics, and economics, such as "Coolidge", a biography of President Calvin Coolidge that examines his influence on American prosperity during the 1920s.
One of Amity Shlaes' quotes that encapsulates her economic philosophy is, "The government doesn’t create wealth; the people create wealth." This reflects her belief in the power of individual enterprise and the importance of limiting government interference in the economy. Another thought-provoking quote from her is, "History teaches us that prosperity often comes from policies that emphasize individual initiative rather than collective intervention." This highlights her view that personal responsibility and economic freedom are the true drivers of long-term prosperity.