Rolf Ricardo Mantel (1934-1999)

Manuel Fernández López

He was at the beginning of his high-school years. He had to expose on math and failed. The professor reprimanded him, not one but several times. What should he do? Put up with the reproval until it was over or do something about it? He chose the latter. He put his efforts on math, having as an objective to win over the teacher. He had the same instructor the following year and the roles turned around.

They all learned something from this experience: the teacher, that perhaps no student should be underestimated; Rolf, his own ability to better himself but, mostly, the episode made evident to him that he possessed that "elusive quality known as mathematical maturity", as Samuel Goldberg would say. He graduated as a C. P. A.

At the age of 23 he attended Economics II with a professor only five years his senior, Julio H. G. Olivera, who brought to the School of Economic Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires a scientific level the like of which had never been seen before. There was mutual respect.

Olivera invited him to join his seminar of economic analysis, meeting in rooms they had to search for through the poorly lit halls at university. His first work was born there in 1959. Olivera took Rolf to monetary analysis seminar as well, which he was in charge of at the Banco Central. When Debreu's Theory of Value first came out, as Galileo, Mantel had the intuition that the universal laws were written in a mathematical language. Any sector of economics could be translated into mathematics, if able to find the right one.

After obtaining his degree he was, for a short period, assistant professor on math. He then went to Yale University to continue his studies.

Had this not been the Olympus, it did, in fact, have some of its demigods: Debreu, Koopmans, Tobin. He was transported when hearing Debreu explain his theory in just few minutes. The fact that Rolf took notes surprised his mates, and he did take notes even from non-formalist professors such as Bela Balassa, translating his ideas into mathematics formulas. Math was to him a sort of short hand.

He got his master degree in 1964, and in 1965 he worked on his thesis: "Toward a constructive proof of the existence of equilibrium in a competitive economy", work which, because of its quality, would obtain Yale's mention. He could have stayed there but he did not want to severe his roots and came back. He became member of the Di Tella Institute at a time when, at the old chalet at Virrey del Pino Street, some of the leaders of the modern renaissance of economic studies used to meet. In 1965 he participated in the Second Meeting of Research Centres when these became one with the Argentine Association of Political Economy, of which he became its President in 1980. He then transferred as professor to the Catholic Argentine University.

He only came back to University of Buenos Aires as professor in charge of Theory of Economic Policy but his life-long romance with UBA was over. Those were difficult years and the students rejected the effort and concentration that Mantel's classes demanded; they claimed that he talked about "dependency and liberation", even more, that this were done in a powerful, loud voice. Neither students nor authorities treated him well. During his course of linear economics he had only one student. He was removed from his position, while acting as guest professor at Yale and at the Cowles Commission.

He was a chamber orchestra player, not a big stage one. His voice was barely audible from distance, ideal for small groups and quiet classrooms, as the ones he addressed at the old Catholic University in Reconquista Street.

Once, he dedicated a class to a recently arrived book by Brody on Prices, Proportions, and Planning, quite a barren book to some. The comments were sort or "let's see how he manages to make a synthesis of the book". In just one hour, with utmost clarity - as the above mentioned Debreu's lesson - he offered a synopsis and even his own personal elaboration on the issue.

The honors came from the most prestigious universities and scientific societies. Member of the Council of the Econometric Society (since 1970), Professor in charge at Northwestern University (1979). Member of the National Academy of Economic Sciences (1982). Guest professor in charge at Harvard (1984). Doctor in honoris causa at the University of Tucumán (1988). Director of the Institute of Applied Economics (1992). Bunge & Born award of economics (1993). Konex award to the most outstanding figure in Economic Theory (1996). He is one of the few Argentines quoted in the Encyclopaedia Palgrave of Economics.

He was loved and admired by everyone whether they did or did not shared his ideas. Long time will have to go by before another economist, another human being of such powerful mind, mild character and overwhelming generosity as Rolf, comes by. If it ever happens...