Dani Rodrik

Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University

Economics

US Economy

World Economy

#31 2017 POLITICO 50 - for Predicting Globalization Populists Backlash 20 Years Before It Happened

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Dani Rodrik is one of the most important political economists of our time. His ideas on customized economic growth strategies tailored to local conditions have had a major influence on governments and multilateral institutions. He is known for having presciently warned about the globalization’s downsides and a potential political backlash in his 1997 best-seller Has Globalization Gone Too Far? His “globalization trilemma” has become today a key reference in discussions on the future of the world economy.

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His new book, Straight Talk on Trade: Ideas for a Sane World Economy, is an honest discussion of free trade and how nations can sensibly chart a path forward in today’s global economy. In Straight Talk on Trade, Dani, an early and outspoken critic of economic globalization taken too far, goes beyond the populist backlash and offers a more reasoned explanation for why our elites’ and technocrats’ obsession with hyper-globalization made it more difficult for nations to achieve legitimate economic and social objectives at home: economic prosperity, financial stability, and equity.

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Dani is also the author of several books on the economy and globalization including, Economics Rules: Why Economics Works, When It Fails, and How To Tell The Difference, which was listed among the year’s best economics books by The Economist and the Financial Times in 2015; The Globalization Paradox: Democracy and the Future of the World Economy and One Economics, Many Recipes: Globalization, Institutions, and Economic Growth, the definitive statement of his original and influential perspective and shows how successful countries craft their own unique growth strategies designed to overcome their own highly specific constraints.

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An award-winning economist, Professor Rodrik has published widely in the areas of economic development, international economics, and political economy. He is widely sought after as a consultant to national governments and international organizations.

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For recent profiles of Professor Dani Rodrik, see “Rebel with a Cause,” “Dani Rodrik and Mr. Trump,” and “An Economist Turns Sleuth.”

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Credentials

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Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Vice President, International Economic Association
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow
Ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (2020)
Formerly, Albert O. Hirschman Professor, Institute for Advanced Study
Formerly, Centennial Professor of Economics, London School of Economics (LSE)
Formerly, Rafiq Hariri Professor of International Political Economy, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Author, Economics Rules, The Globalization Paradox, One Economics, Many Recipes, and Has Globalization Gone Too Far?
Author, Dani Rodrik's weblog
Monthly contributor to Project Syndicate
Winner, inaugural Albert O. Hirschman Prize, Social Science Research Council
Winner, Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought
Recipient, several honorary doctorates from universities in Europe and Latin America
Profiled in The New York Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, IMF Finance & Development
Frequently cited in leading newspapers and periodicals

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Topics

The Challenges of Industrial Policy and Economic Diversification

Industrial policy is back, but how can governments and businesses avoid the mistakes of the past? What are the principles of sound productive development policies?

The Future of Economic Growth

After a good run, many emerging markets are facing severe headwinds. Is the era of growth miracles over?

Economic Growth Strategy

How can growth strategies tailored to local circumstances be formulated? What kind of tools are available for developing reform priorities and policy designs?

The Future of Globalization and the World Economy

Will globalization recede? How far will the populist backlash go? Is it possible to reconcile an open world economy with aspirations of sovereignty?

Videos