J.D. Vance’s Hamiltonian Appeal Misreads Market History, Says Scholar

Vice President J.D. Vance has urged conservatives to replace a commitment to free markets with a more Hamiltonian view of government, arguing that Milton Friedman’s ideas need “Christian guardrails” and a virtuous citizenry. Andrew Langer, writing for the Wall Street Journal, says Vance misunderstands both Hamilton’s legacy and market dynamics, noting that Hamilton’s economic vision was never the sole expression of American republicanism.

Langer points out that the growth of federal programs over generations displaced local charities, churches, and mutual-aid societies, weakening civil society rather than the other way around. He warns that expanding government to fill those gaps creates a feedback loop that further erodes community institutions. While acknowledging a legitimate governmental role in protecting rights and enforcing contracts, Langer argues that faith, belonging, and moral purpose arise from voluntary relationships, not state planning. He concludes that a free society thrives when individuals can pursue better lives without government-mandated economic direction.