Mark Blyth
Profile
Mark Blyth is the William R. Rhodes ’57 Professor of International Economics and Director of the Rhodes Center for International Economics and Finance at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. A leading scholar of political economy, global finance, and the politics of economic ideas, he holds a joint appointment in the Department of Political Science.
Professor Blyth’s work examines how financial systems, growth models, and distributional politics shape the fortunes of advanced economies. Known for his sharp analysis and contrarian clarity, he brings together political science, macroeconomics, and historical inquiry to explain why societies adopt particular economic models—and why these models so often fail to deliver stability, equality, or long-term prosperity. His research explores why dangerous economic ideas persist despite repeated crises, and how states manage (or mismanage) the politics of inflation, stagnation, growth, and decarbonization.
Academic and Advisory Roles
Professor Blyth has served as a faculty member at Brown University since 2009, where he directs the Rhodes Center, a leading hub for research on global finance, capitalism, and political economy. He has held visiting professorships and research positions internationally and regularly collaborates with scholars across Europe and North America.
Beyond academia, Blyth is a prominent advisor to policymakers, central banks, and global institutions. His expertise in financial governance, distribution, and growth models has informed discussions at the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, political parties across Europe, and international policy organizations. His work is frequently sought by media, think-tanks, and governments grappling with inflation, inequality, and the politics of economic reform.
Research and Publications
Professor Blyth’s research spans economic ideas, comparative political economy, global finance, and the distributional politics of climate transition. He is the author of several influential and award-winning books that have reshaped debates about austerity, growth, stagnation, and public policy.
His landmark book Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea traces the intellectual origins and political uses of austerity economics, arguing that cutting public budgets in recessions consistently produces deeper crises. Angrynomics explores public anger, identity, and economic dysfunction in modern democracies, offering policy prescriptions for rebuilding trust in political institutions.
In Diminishing Returns: The New Politics of Growth and Stagnation, Blyth and co-authors diagnose why advanced economies struggle to generate sustained economic growth—and what this means for democracy. His forthcoming book, Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers (2025), provides a sweeping yet accessible analysis of inflation, explaining who benefits, who loses, and why inflation politics shape the global economy.
His current manuscript, Burning Down the House, examines the distributional politics of decarbonization and the future of the U.S. dollar in a rapidly changing geopolitical and energy landscape.
Speaking and Public Engagement
Mark Blyth is a globally recognized public speaker whose talks are known for clarity, humor, and intellectual force. He has addressed major policy forums, universities, and financial institutions, delivering lectures on topics such as:
The Politics of Inflation
Growth Models and the Future of Capitalism
Why Bad Economic Ideas Persist
Distributional Conflicts in Decarbonization
Global Finance, Currency Politics, and the Future of the Dollar
The Rise and Fall of Austerity Economics
He has spoken at institutions including the European Commission, leading central banks, Brown University, and international policy conferences. His public talks—including his widely viewed appearances on podcasts and TEDx-style platforms—have shaped debates about economic policy across the U.S. and Europe.
Awards and Honors
Professor Blyth’s scholarship has earned numerous distinctions, reflecting his impact on international political economy and public debate:
International Studies Association Distinguished Scholar Award – International Political Economy Section (2024)
SWIPE Award for Mentoring Women in International Political Economy (2022)
Best Paper Award, European Politics Section of the American Political Science Association (2017–2018)
Hans Matthöffer Wirtschaftspublizistik-Preis, Berlin (2014)
Nomination for the DAAD Prize, American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (2014)
These honors reflect Blyth’s leadership in explaining how global finance, ideas, and political conflict shape the economic lives of citizens and states.
Public Thought and Media
Blyth is a frequent contributor to global media, offering commentary on inflation, interest rates, global finance, and economic governance. His insights appear in major outlets including The New York Times, The Economic Times, Project Syndicate, Newsweek, and leading policy journals.
Recent media engagements include:
Cost of Living Podcast – “When it comes to inflation, it’s personal” (2025)
The Economic Times – Interview on renewables, growth, and decarbonization in emerging economies (2025)
Project Syndicate – “The Three Technologies Disrupting the Global Order” (2025)
A Book with Legs Podcast – Discussion of Inflation (2025)
Newsweek – Commentary on U.S. monetary policy (2025)
Project Syndicate – “Lower Interest Rates Are the Right Policy for the Wrong Reasons” (2025)
His media presence extends the influence of his academic research to contemporary debates on global markets, inflation, and political economy.
Education
Ph.D., Columbia University (if needed I can add exact details — not provided in your text)
Undergraduate and early academic training details can be added if you provide them.
Advisory Expertise
Public Financial Governance • Global Macroeconomics • Inflation Politics • Growth Models • Distribution and Decarbonization • Comparative Capitalism • Economic Crises and Policy Reform
Areas of Expertise
Global Finance & Banking • Political Economy • International Financial Governance • Growth Models • Comparative Political Economy • Political Economy of Climate Transition