Robert P. Murphy

 Credentials

• Ph.D. Economics, New York University, Spring 2003.
• B.A. Economics, Hillsdale College, Magna Cum Laude, 1998.

Source: [1]

 Background

Robert P. Murphy is an economist. Apart from independent economic consulting,  he is currently working with the Pacific Research Institute (PRI), and is also listed as an economist for a Houston, Texas-based think-tank called the Institute for Energy Research (IER). [2]

The IER has received over $307,000 in funding from ExxonMobil and $237,000 From Koch Family Foundations. PRI has received over $600,000 from Koch Foundations, and significant donations from Scaife Foundations.

Stance on Climate Change

"Many economists favor some form of government penalty on CO2 emissions because of the threat of climate change. However, the steps in the argument—going from computer simulations to a specific, numerical tax on economic activity today—are riddled with uncertainties." [3]

Key Quotes

"Given the large uncertainties at each major step of the case for reliance on a carbon tax, economists should reconsider their current support for such a policy." [3]

"I reject the peak oil theory insofar as it refers to technological limits on human ingenuity." [4]

Key Deeds

March, 2008

Murphy was a speaker at the Heartland Institute's 2008 International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC1) where he spoke on the "The Uneasy Case for Carbon Pricing." [5]

 Affiliations

• Mackinac Center for Public Policy — "Adjunct Scholar." [6]

• Ludwig Von Mises Institute — "Adjunct Scholar" and author. [7]  

• Pacific Research Institute (PRI) — "Scholar" and "Senior Fellow."

• The Heartland Institute — "Expert." [8]

• MasterResource — Listed as one of the "Principals," and is a contributor. [9]

 Publications

According to a search of google scholar, Murphy has never published in a peer-reviewed journal on the subject of climate change. However, he still lists one of his "Fields of Specialization" as "Climate Change." [1]

A full list of Murphy's articles and "academic work" is available at his blog, Free Advice.

His books include:

• The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism, Regnery 2007.
• Study Guide for Ludwig von Mises’ Human Action, Ludwig von Mises Institute.
• Study Guide for Murray Rothbard’s Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market, Ludwig von Mises Institute, Summer 2006.

 Resources

1. "Resumé/CV: Robert P. Murphy," Free Advice (blog). Accessed January, 2012.

2. "Scholars," Institute for Energy Research. Accessed January, 2012.

3. Robert P. Murphy. "Rolling the DICE: William Nordhaus’s Dubious Case for a Carbon Tax" (PDF), The Independent Review, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Fall 2009).

4. "Written Testimony of Robert P. Murphy, Institute for Energy Research Before the House Committee on Financial Services On the Matter of Oil Prices and the U.S. Dollar" (PDF), July 24, 2008. Archived August 2, 2002 from the United States House of Representatives (www.house.gov).

5. "2008 International Conference on Climate Change" (PDF), The Heartland Institute. Archived March 7, 2010.

6. "Robert P. Murphy," Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Accessed January, 2012.

7. "Robert P. Murphy," Ludwig Von Mises Institute (Mises Daily). Accessed January, 2012.

8. "Heartland Experts: Robert Murphy," The Heartland Institute. Accessed January, 2012.

9. "About," MasterResource. Accessed January, 2012.

10. "Memo To The Fed: Stop Those Rate Cuts," Forbes, March 17, 2008.

11. "Rep. Jordan's Gas Price Witnesses Fueled By Big Oil, Jordan Donations," Media Transparency, March 24, 2011.