Did David Card Vote for Hillary Clinton?
David Card, known for his influential work in labor economics, played a significant role in shaping economic policy discussions during his time. While the question of whether David Card supported Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign may seem like a simple one, it has attracted considerable attention due to the prominence of many economists in endorsement efforts. This article examines the supports and endorsements for Hillary Clinton, including those from some of the field's leading economists, and explores the role of labor economists like David Card.
Economist Endorsements for Hillary Clinton
Multiple economists from various disciplines enthusiastically endorsed Hillary Clinton during her campaign for the presidency. Among them, some prominent names include:
Kenneth Arrow: A Nobel laureate in economics, Arrow was a founding member of the New Institutional Economics and a versatile thinker whose work spanned various fields, from mathematics to sociology.
Barry Bluestone, Heather Boushey, and Peter Diamond: Bluestone, the Chief Economist for the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, and Heather Boushey, who holds important roles in advocating for economic policy in favor of working families and women, were notable in their public endorsements. Peter Diamond, another Nobel laureate, was also quick to voice his support.
Angus Deaton: The winner of the 2015 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Deaton is famous for his research on consumption, poverty, welfare, and measurement. His support for Clinton indicated his belief in her policies and ability to address critical economic issues.
Sebastián Edwards and Oliver Hart: Edwards, known for his contributions to the understanding of Latin American economies, and Oliver Hart, the dean of modern contract theory, both lent their support to Clinton, highlighting their alignment with her economic policies and vision.
Glenn Loury and Robert Lucas Jr.: Renowned sociologist Glenn Loury and renowned economist Robert Lucas Jr. also opted to endorse Clinton, further emphasizing the interdisciplinary support for her candidacy.
David Card and His Role
David Card, renowned for his work on minimum wage impacts, immigration, and education policy, has contributed significantly to the field of labor economics. However, the question of his direct political support for Hillary Clinton remains a matter of discussion. Unlike some of the other economists, Card did not publicly announce his endorsement of Clinton. This absence of public support is intriguing given his reputation and influence in the academic community and the policy world.
While a direct statement about voting for Clinton is not available, understanding why Card might not have endorsed her can provide insights into his personal and professional views. Given that many labor economists and prominent figures in the field of economics felt strongly about supporting Clinton, the lack of an explicit endorsement from Card highlights an interesting contrast. It might suggest a preference for maintaining professional neutrality or that his support went unsaid, a common practice among intellectuals who do not prefer to bring their personal political beliefs into public discourse.
Conclusion
While a direct statement from David Card about voting for Hillary Clinton is not available, the support from numerous prominent economists indicates a clear ideological alignment with Clinton's policies. David Card, despite his significant contributions to labor economics, chose to stay silent on the political front. This silence could be due to various reasons, ranging from a belief in professional neutrality to a personal inclination to keep politics separate from academic discourse.
For those interested in understanding the role of economists in political endorsements, the David Card situation provides an interesting case study. It underscores the complex nature of political beliefs within academic communities and the subtle ways in which individuals express their support or non-support.