From colleagues, to friendship, to foundation

Institutional Inspiration

Frans de Vries was one of the first institutional economists. He took on a realist perspective, viewing economics not merely as a body of theories but as instrument for addressing societal issues. This was a relatively untouched field in economics at the time. Curiously, Tinbergen’s dissertation was one of the first that took inspiration from this. Especially his early work can be deemed fairly ‘institutional’. It is a real exception for economists in the 1920s. Tinbergen’s institutional tendencies could be explained through a fondness for German economic traditions or Staatswissenschaften. On the other hand, it is very likely that Tinbergen took some inspiration from De Vries. With De Vries being one of the first Dutch economists looking at the ‘rules of the game’, Tinbergen might have sought inspiration closer to home.

Colleagues: In the same circles

Tinbergen and De Vries were part of the same intellectual community. Rotterdam, and more particularly the Nederlandsche Handels-Hoogeschool, became the center of contact. Even though Tinbergen was quite younger, the two frequently met. Their shared passion for institutional economics naturally led to a connection. There was a great understanding between the two. They sought each other for advice and met to discuss economics. Just like in 1954, when Tinbergen asked De Vries for his opinion on the Dutch renting policy of that time. Tinbergen “would not want to meet with the board of Housing and Planning before getting your [De Vries] opinion.” It illustrates the high respect and regard between the two. This bond went beyond colleagues, eventually becoming amice.

Friends at dinner

The archives fail to make their friendship explicit. Even though they wrote frequently, it is hard to put a label on their bond. We do know that, besides regular writing, they enjoyed dinners together on multiple occasions. Tinbergen was a regular face at De Vries’ house. In a letter from 1951, Tinbergen wrote De Vries about their dinner plans. They had planned to have dinner once more, this time on Saturday night at his house. Tinbergen’s meeting was postponed and he had to travel back to The Hague right after. He could not make it to dinner and made sure to send his “special regret to Mrs. de Vries”. It is one of the many instances that indicate a closeness and certain familiarity. A few years before his passing in 1958, De Vries retired from his academic career. In 1954 he held a special celebration at the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam in honour of his retirement. The number of invitees was kept limited, with only his inner circle attending. Jan Tinbergen was invited once more to dinner, celebrating the career of his friend.

The First Chair

After the retirement of Prof. F. De Vries in 1954, Jan Tinbergen gave life to the foundation. With help from an allocation by De Nederlandsche Bank and Tinbergen’s 1969 Nobel Prize money, the foundation was created. Tinbergen became the first Chairman of the foundation. From 1955 onwards, the foundation would host regular lectures. These lectures spread economic knowledge of great societal importance, following the legacy of De Vries. Tinbergen was remarkable in recruiting great economists. Countless letters were dedicated to hosting these lectures. The likes of Robert Solow and János Kornai were all flattered by these invites. But why did Tinbergen set up this foundation in honour of Prof. F. de Vries? We know they were respected colleagues. Both shared a passion for economics and societal change. One could even say De Vries was an inspiration for Tinbergen. But if there is one thing the letters tell us, it is a sense of respect and mutual understanding. Respect for each other’s work and opinions. An understanding of why economics should lead societal change. And perhaps, simply to honour the academic legacy of his amice.