Gunnar Myrdal

Date of Birth: December 6, 1898

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: May 17, 1987

Biography

Gunnar Myrdal, born Karl Gunnar Myrdal, was a Swedish economist and sociologist who made significant contributions to the fields of economics and social science. Born on December 6, 1898, in Gustafs, Sweden, Myrdal became well-known for his work on the interplay between economics and social issues, particularly in the context of race relations in the United States. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from Stockholm University in 1927, where he later became a professor. Myrdal’s most influential work is perhaps “An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy,” published in 1944, which was a comprehensive study of the social and economic issues faced by African Americans. This work had a profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. In 1974, Gunnar Myrdal was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, shared with Friedrich Hayek, for their pioneering work in the theory of money and economic fluctuations and for their penetrating analysis of the interdependence of economic, social, and institutional phenomena. Myrdal was married to Alva Reimer Myrdal, a renowned sociologist and politician, with whom he collaborated on various social projects. The couple had three children. Gunnar Myrdal passed away on May 17, 1987, in Danderyd, Sweden, leaving behind a legacy of transformative ideas in both economics and social policy.

5 Interesting Facts about Gunnar Myrdal

1. Gunnar Myrdal’s book “An American Dilemma” was used as evidence in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

2. Myrdal served as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe from 1947 to 1957.

3. He was a strong advocate for the welfare state and played a key role in shaping Sweden’s social policies.

4. Myrdal’s wife, Alva Myrdal, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982 for her work in nuclear disarmament.

5. Myrdal was also a member of the Swedish parliament and contributed to the development of the Social Democratic Party’s policies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gunnar Myrdal

1. “In all countries, the struggle for economic equality is against the interests of those who are already privileged.”

2. “It is in the agricultural sector that the battle for long-term economic development will be won or lost.”

3. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

4. “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

5. “Democracy is the necessary condition for the realization of freedom and equality.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures from historical periods are challenging to ascertain, Gunnar Myrdal’s highest net worth is estimated to be in the range of several million dollars, primarily due to his academic positions, publications, and consulting work.

Children

Gunnar Myrdal and Alva Myrdal had three children: 1. Jan Myrdal: A noted author and political activist. 2. Sissela Bok: A philosopher and ethicist. 3. Kaj Fölster: A sociologist and author.