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Simon Johnson

Simon Johnson

Writing for PS since 2007
179 commentaries

Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, is a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Faculty Director of MIT’s Shaping the Future of Work initiative, and Co-Chair of the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council. He is a co-author (with Daron Acemoglu) of Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity (PublicAffairs, 2023). 

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  1. Trump Can Win Against China – in Ukraine
    johnson181_Alexander ManzyukAnadolu Agency via Getty Images_russian oil Alexander Manzyuk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

    Trump Can Win Against China – in Ukraine

    Nov 25, 2024 Simon Johnson & Oleg Ustenko argue that forcing Russia to withdraw would yield a clearer win for the US than tariffs on Chinese imports.

  2. Only Harris Will Deliver Shared Prosperity
    johnson180_JIM WATSONAFP via Getty Images_kamala harris JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

    Only Harris Will Deliver Shared Prosperity

    Nov 1, 2024 Simon Johnson says that Donald Trump’s discredited protectionism would benefit the few at the expense of the many.

  3. Trump’s Proposed Tariffs Are a Gift to the Rich
    krueger52_FREDERIC J. BROWNAFP via Getty Images_shipping port us FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

    Trump’s Proposed Tariffs Are a Gift to the Rich

    Oct 7, 2024 Simon Johnson cites research showing that middle-class US households would foot the bill.

  4. How to Create More Good Jobs
    bildt104_Doug MillsPoolGetty Images_semiconductors Doug Mills/Pool/Getty Images

    How to Create More Good Jobs

    Aug 2, 2024 Simon Johnson touts the 2022 US CHIPS and Science Act, which will nurture geographically dispersed innovation hubs.

  5. Human Capital for the Age of Generative AI
    palacio140_Getty Images_AI Getty Images

    Human Capital for the Age of Generative AI

    May 30, 2024 Simon Johnson & Eric Hazan explain how adoption of the technology could help suitably qualified workers climb the wage ladder.

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  1. adebajo12_FADEL SENNAAFP via Getty Images_USmilitaryafrica Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
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    What Trump’s Return Means for Africa

    Adekeye Adebajo expects a continuation of America's longstanding attitude of benign neglect toward the continent.
  2. hodgkins1_Ulet IfansastiGetty Images_mine Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images
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    The False Promise of “Responsible Mining”

    Chelsea Hodgkins lambasts a corporate-led voluntary global standard that would harm communities and pose risks for automakers.
  3. elerian175_Spencer PlattGetty Images_nyse Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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    A Baseline Scenario for the Global Economy in 2025

    Mohamed A. El-Erian

    In 2024, global geopolitics and national politics have undergone considerable upheaval, and the world economy has both significant weaknesses, including Europe and China, and notable bright spots, especially the US. In the coming year, the range of possible outcomes will broaden further.

     offers his predictions for the new year while acknowledging that the range of possible outcomes is widening.
  4. ruto6_LUIS TATOAFP via Getty Images_africafloods Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images
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    A New Deal for Developing Countries

    William Ruto explains what climate-vulnerable Africa will need to strengthen their resilience and sustain economic growth.
  5. mazzucato78_James Glossop - WPA PoolGetty Images_starmerinvestment James Glossop/WPA/Pool/Getty Images
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    Good Growth Requires Getting Public-Private Partnerships Right

    Mariana Mazzucato worries that a recently unveiled industrial strategy is not structured properly.
  6. delong266_Michael SwensenGetty Image_musk Michael Swensen/Getty Images
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    American Idiots

    J. Bradford DeLong considers the implications of Donald Trump and friends' effort to orchestrate an unnecessary government shutdown.
  7. fischer223_Alexander KoernerGetty Images_bundeswehr Alexander Koerner/Getty Images
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    Putin’s Setbacks Are Cold Comfort for Europe

    Joschka Fischer considers the implications of Russia's loss in Syria and Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House.
  8. brown115_WAKIL KOHSARAFP via Getty Images_afghanistanwomen Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images
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    Gender Apartheid Is a Crime Against Humanity

    Gordon Brown urges global policymakers to address the Afghan regime’s egregious violations of women and girls' rights.
  9. Matt Gush/Getty Images
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    The US Economy’s Trust Deficit

    Michael Spence considers the causes and consequences of Americans’ declining faith in media and government.

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