Professor of Economics The University of Chicago, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois
Classification
Conservative
File
0001
Opened
Tenured 1989. File opened by the Watch, 1991. Confirmed 2011.
Evidentiary grade
Limited direct
Threat score
0.4 / 100
Field office
Hyde Park, Chicago
Last observed
2026-06-30
Standing
On the criteria published in the Methodology, this confirmation does not stand. The criteria are under review.
Summary
Subject 0001 has had an open file for thirty-five years, the longest period in the active caseload. The sole relevant statement on file concerns the allocation of eleven parking spaces behind a university building. His position was that they should go to whoever would pay most for them.
The confirmation was reviewed in 2021 and again in 2024. Neither review resolved the discrepancy between the file and the published criteria.
Two requests for comment are recorded, both from journalists. The subject declined both because of teaching commitments.
Basis for classification
A 2011 op-ed arguing that eleven contested parking spaces should be allocated by price rather than by seniority. The subject has not, in thirty-five years of observation, used the word "conservative" of himself or of anyone else.
Limited direct — One relevant public statement is on file.
Statement of the subject
None on file. Asked at a 2004 panel to place himself politically, the subject said "I am an economist" and moved on to the next question.
Field record
Discipline
Economics. Price theory, monetary history, and a seminar on the allocation of scarce goods that has run for thirty-one years.
Primary location
A fourth-floor office on the Hyde Park campus.
Observed locations
Hyde Park campus; Arlington, Virginia, in 2004.
Status
Tenured. Emeritus track. Has declined emeritus status twice, in writing.
Pattern of life
Typically arrives at 07:40 and departs at 16:15. Office hours are held Monday and Wednesday.
Identification
Bow tie; repaired briefcase.
Recorded statement
"Well, now — that depends what you mean by efficient."
Known associates
Eleven coauthors reviewed; no relevant association identified.
Capabilities
One 2011 neighbourhood-paper op-ed regarding parking.
Intent
Assessed as "to be left alone." The assessment has not been revised since 1993.
Signature
Laissez-faire, high confidence. Conservative, disputed.
Observations
1991-05-08
File opened. Basis recorded as "disposition." No supporting document preserved in the surviving record.
2011-04-02
Op-ed regarding parking obtained and reviewed. Subject confirmed.
2019-10-08 15:12
Office hours. No attendees. Subject read for two hours. Title of book not established from the corridor.
2021-02-11
Confirmation flagged for review against the published criteria. Adjourned without finding.
2024-03-19
Second review of the confirmation concluded. No finding recorded.
2026-06-30
National population declined to four following closure of Subject 0005. Monitoring status unchanged.