Chapter 1430 From Chicago to New York (first update, please subscribe)
Several passers-by stood by the newsstand, browsing newspapers and magazines. When the newspaper seller saw passers-by, he immediately shouted loudly
“Take a look, Li Yi’an’s European tour , ignoring the United States again, he expressed his dissatisfaction to Kennedy. "
The newspaper seller's shout made Professor Milton Friedman slightly stunned. As an economics professor, of course he was concerned. Politically, it is also of great concern to the second largest economy in the Western world.
When studying the economic model and economic growth miracle there, we naturally noticed the coldness of relations between the two countries.
When he entered the office, assistant Sun Gongen had already arrived. He was from there and was a very smart guy. In fact, in the past few years, almost one-third of Professor Friedman's students From Southeast Asia.
"Professor, these are the magazines, newspapers and letters that have just arrived."
Sun Gongen put a stack of books and periodicals on his desk, then pointed to the cover of Time magazine, Said:
"Professor, what do you think?"
After taking a look at the Oriental on the cover of the magazine - Li Yian's European trip, Professor Friedman said directly:
"Is it economic or political? There is no impact at all. It's all about face."
Professor Friedman said casually:
"Kennedy met someone who was younger and more mature than him. Successful people always face embarrassment, so to a certain extent, they are not willing to deal with your Excellency. , because..."
After a slight pause, Professor Friedman said:
"Your economy is more successful! Sun, this is an unavoidable fact, if Washington invites him. A visit will inevitably lead to contrasts among public opinion circles, and for Kennedy, this is what he doesn’t want to see!”
Although he was surprised that the president also paid attention to face, the professor's words made Sun Gongen say curiously:
"Professor, do you think our economy is more successful?"
"Sun, this It is a fact, and I have always been very curious about your economic development. It is not just me who is curious. In fact, the entire economics community is very curious. To a certain extent, your economy is influenced by Keynesianism. influence, but did not ignore Depending on the money supply, on the other hand, your economy is still influenced by the Soviet planned economic model, but it emphasizes the role of the market.”
When it comes to the economy there, Professor Friedman said. There was a certain deep interest in his tone. In fact, in the past few years, he not only discussed the local economy with students from there, but also visited Nanyang University and Dongning University many times as a visiting scholar. , conducted an inspection of the local area through academic exchanges.
“To a large extent, your economic model attracts the advantages of various economic theories while minimizing its disadvantages. Of course, this is also related to your leadership team, especially He..."
Professor Friedman pointed to the man on the cover of the magazine and said:
“He has always been not deceived by success.”
“Not deceived by success?”
Sun Gongen obviously did not expect that the professor would say this,
" Yes, the most difficult thing for people to overcome is to be deceived by the phantom of success, especially politicians like this. From Germany to the Soviet Union, and then to many countries, people who hold absolute power are easily deceived by the phantom of success after they achieve success. Confused, this is an extremely fatal phenomenon! ”
As an expert in economics, Friedman once studied the economic models of those countries. The most important thing behind the success of those models is the will of the leader.
However, Professor Friedman did not go into depth on this topic, but simply said a few words, and then said:
"So, if there is a chance, I would I want to meet him and talk about some financial issues. In fact, I have an intuition that he is an economic expert."
Hearing what the professor said, Sun Gongen said:
"Professor, if you are interested in our economic model, you might as well. Go to New York ”
"New York?"
Professor Friedman asked curiously:
"Is there anything there?"
Sun Gongen answered truthfully:
"Professor, there is a New York Liaison Office of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry there. You know, in the eyes of many people, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry has made our economy take off..."
"Source, Sun..."
Professor Friedman said:
"They formulated all the industrial policies. Now, you book a ticket for us immediately, let's go to New York!"
It’s a bus ticket, not an air ticket!
This is because of the emergence of high-speed rail - during Eisenhower's era, the United States introduced high-speed rail technology. After years of hard work, it finally built the first and currently only high-speed rail - Chicago to New York. High speed rail.
After the completion of this high-speed rail, it immediately changed the transportation mode between Chicago and New York.
"Sun, before this high-speed railway opened to traffic, the best train here was the "Mogul Train", which was the 20th Century Express. At that time, that luxury train was more like a train between New York and Chicago. A commuter car for celebrities, elites from all industries are loyal passengers of that car.”
Sitting in the second-class carriage, Professor Friedman introduced to his students:
"At that time, in Manhattan After getting on the bus, you can enjoy the scenery of the Hudson River, sip cocktails, enjoy dinner, and have a good sleep. As soon as you wake up, you will arrive in Chicago. You will get on the bus in New York at six o'clock in the evening. Arriving in Chicago at 8:45 the next morning...a total of 14 hours and 45 minutes!"
Professor Friedman couldn't help but recall his past experience on the "Tycoon Train". At that time, entering this place! Taking a train is like attending a cocktail party.
"It only takes 4 and a half hours now, professor!" Sun Gongen said proudly:
"Bullet train, our invention..."
"Yes, just It took 4 and a half hours, and it was from that time that Chicago and New York became more closely connected, even if the jet Even in the worst weather, it can operate normally.”
This is its advantage. Chicago and New York are the most prosperous cities in the United States, and they can operate normally every day. A large number of industrial elites travel between the two places. Some even live in Chicago, work in New York, or come back.
Now, thanks to the advent of high-speed rail, they can even commute between the two places on a daily basis.
“It is through high-speed rail that the east coast is further connected as a whole. Unfortunately, until now, the second high-speed rail is still under planning.”
“From construction In terms of efficiency, the Western world is far inferior to the Soviet Union, Professor."
Sun Gongen said:
"I heard that the Soviets plan to use high-speed railways to connect the entire Eastern Europe. And now they are connected to several countries.”
Professor Friedman smiled and said:
""High-speed train", right?"
This is the West's description of the Soviet high-speed train as a "bullet train" copied.
“However, their construction speed is very fast, even faster than yours.”
While the two people were chatting, the high-speed train had already left the station and soon increased its speed to 250 Kilometers of highway, heading towards New York.
Just a few hours later, during dinner time, they arrived in New York and met Director Angel of the office.
After hearing that Professor Milton Friedman was visiting, Angell, who had always been very interested in the liberal economic model, immediately changed his original plan and invited Professor Friedman to dinner. Let’s talk about economics with him. After all, the professor’s reputation in the economics community is well known. In his works, he challenged the views of the Keynesian school and criticized them for ignoring the importance of money supply and financial policy to the business cycle and inflation.
While chatting about academic issues in economics, they naturally talked about themselves, the "Equator Miracle", and the economic model there.
“You have not fully followed the market economy, or in other words, the principles of free economy.”
Professor Friedman looked at the official from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in front of him and said:
"More often, you emphasize official-led investment and even official industrial control! It is more characteristic of a market economy."
"Yes, that is indeed the case!"
As a member of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Old man, Angel said:
“In the process of promoting economic development, we are not blindly We should learn from the free economy of the West. In terms of industrial policy, we insist on direct investment in basic industries such as industry, energy, transportation, finance, and electricity. Important departments are in the hands of national enterprises and corporate enterprises, but..."< br>
Angel slightly emphasized his tone, and then said:
"We also encourage the development of the private economy. Immigrants who have skills and projects can get official help as long as they invest in designated areas, and they will also enjoy substantial tax exemptions. It is these measures that are effective. Promote the development of the private economy."
"That's true!"
Professor Friedman nodded in agreement:
"Actually, this is all about you. The reason for its success is that it seems to be a start-up place, but in fact it is a place with no history. You have inherited the talent, technology, management experience, and governance vision of Europe and the United States. You don't even need to do experiments to produce economic benefits.
So your industrial production starts quickly, including mineral development, chemical industry, heavy industry, etc. Textiles, automobiles, shipbuilding , various industries such as aircraft manufacturing were quickly established, and the production organization form was also eclectic. In the early stages of development, based on its relatively abundant labor force, it even launched processing trade with supplied materials, and then quickly promoted industrial upgrading.
In the past ten years, your industrial economy has developed at an alarming rate, which has driven the entire country's economic development cycle. Through continuous industrial upgrading, you have finally achieved the "Equator Miracle". "
After making this conclusion, Professor Friedman added:
"I think this is the fundamental reason for the "Equator Miracle". "
Listening to the professor's words, Angel was surprised at first, and then praised:
"Oh, the professor is truly a professor. No wonder you would recommend studying economics to Chicago. , just because of the professor! ”
"What?"
Professor Friedman couldn't help but be stunned and said doubtfully:
"What did you say?"
Faced with the professor's curiosity, Angel He answered truthfully:
“Many people in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry know that you have always paid attention to your theory, and he also highly respects your economic theory.”
(End of this chapter)