Inside an Economics Boot Camp for U.S. Federal Judges: Planet Money : NPR

Andrew Harnik-Poole/Getty Images

Andrew Harnik-Poole/Getty Images

What happens when you ask some of the most powerful people in America — federal judges — to study economics?

In the 1970s, an academic named Henry Mann came up with a radical idea. He wanted to show judges the power, clarity, and logic of economics. So he invited the judges to a luxury resort—all expenses paid—where they would mingle and learn from famous economists like Milton Friedman and Paul Samuelson.

The two-week retreats were so popular that by 1990, about 40 percent of federal judges had attended, including two who would go on to serve on the Supreme Court: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Clarence Thomas. (Apparently, they both had a blast.)

Now the evidence is in. It appears these economic concessions have made an unexpectedly deep impression on the judges. American law may never be the same again.

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