Mark Blyth

Mark Blyth is the William R. Rhodes ’57 Professor of International Economics and Director of the Rhodes Centre for International Economics and Finance at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. He holds a joint appointment in the Department of Political Science and is known for his critical analyses of economic ideas and their political impacts. Blyth earned his PhD in political science from Columbia University in 1999 and taught at Johns Hopkins University from 1997 to 2009. His research focuses on the political economy of growth models, the distributional politics of decarbonization, and the role of economic ideas in shaping institutional change. He has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Studies Association’s International Political Economy Section (2024) and the SWIPE Award for mentoring women in his field (2022). Blyth also engages in public policy debates and has authored several influential books, including Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea (2015), Angrynomics (2020), and Diminishing Returns (2022). His current work, Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers (2025), co-authored with Nicolò Fraccaroli, challenges conventional inflation narratives. He advises on policy strategies and has contributed to debates on tariffs, trade wars, and the future of the US dollar. Blyth’s academic and public roles emphasize interdisciplinary research and bridging economic theory with real-world political challenges.

His teaching includes graduate courses on comparative political economy and international political economy (IPE), as well as undergraduate courses focusing on the green transition, the politics of hard policy problems, and the history of monetary systems. Blyth’s work often critiques the limitations of traditional economic policies, such as austerity and interest-rate-driven inflation controls, advocating for more innovative frameworks like industrial policy and direct public interventions. He is a frequent media commentator, appearing on NPR and other platforms to explain complex economic issues to broader audiences.

Blyth’s scientific awards highlight his contributions to understanding political economy dynamics, including his analysis of European politics and his critique of economic fatalism. His research and books underscore the need to rethink economic doctrines in light of global challenges like climate change, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. Blyth remains a vocal advocate for evidence-based policy and the role of academia in public discourse.