Welcome!
Mission Economics explores how we can rethink economics and reshape economies to deliver for people and planet - through better theory and policy.
As an economist, I have long questioned the assumptions underpinning contemporary economics and the policies that flow from them. Our current challenges—from the climate crisis to rising inequality, from crumbling public services to the digital divide—are not accidents. They are the direct result of how we have chosen to structure our economies. We have bought into the idea that at best governments can fix market failures and businesses should be driven by shareholder value. Both governance structures are creating a dysfunctional form of capitalism, where policy is too little too late, and financialized businesses are spending more on areas like share buybacks than on the much needed investments we need to make the ‘real economy’ more innovative, inclusive and sustainable.
My work to date:
Through my books and research, I've explored these challenges from multiple angles. "The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private sector myths," revealed the true story behind the Silicon Valley Miracle: the visible hand of the State—and asked what the current lessons are for the green revolution. "The Value of Everything: Making and taking in the global economy" examined what it means to put collective value creation at the heart of our economies, and to socialize the benefits that arise from that—rather than sharing risks and privatizing rewards. "Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism" explored how to redesign policies and all tools that governments have at their disposal in an outcomes oriented way, catalyzing an economy-wide transformation that is goal-oriented—we did it to get to the Moon, why cant we be as ambitious with climate change? "The Big Con: How the Consulting Industry Weakens our Businesses, Infantilizes our Governments and Warps our Economies," co-authored with my PhD student Rosie Collington, investigates rebuilding public sector capabilities after decades of outsourcing—and the dangers and conflicts of interest in the rising consultification of our governments. My upcoming book, "The Political Economy of the Common Good," explores how the 'telos' (goals) are as important as the 'polis'—how we structure our relationships and democracies matter!
To create a systems approach to these ideas, and to affect the economics curriculum, I founded in 2018 the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London. The goal is to bring together new economic thinking on public value, market shaping and mission orientation, work with governments globally, and bring the learnings to a new curriculum for leaders—a process we call practice-based theorizing.
What this Substack offers:
Through these posts, I share insights from my global work with governments and organisations, analyze current economic debates, and explore how new economic thinking translates into practice. From Brazil to Barbados, from the WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All to the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, this platform offers a unique vantage point to examine how theory meets implementation.
All subscribers get:
Opinions: short pieces on current debates in economics and policy
Travel diary: reflections from my work around the world working with governments, leaders, and practitioners
Media: highlights from my media engagements and speaking events
If you’re a paid subscriber, you will also receive:
Behind the scenes: insights and background context on my posts, media appearances and published op-eds
"Ask Me Anything": one quarterly ‘off the cuff’ live session with me
Community building: ability to contribute to shaping this platform through regular community discussions and guidance on future topics
This isn't just a newsletter—it's an invitation to join a growing community of thinkers and practitioners who believe in the potential of purposeful, mission-oriented economics. This is not about a rosy 'we're all in it together' narrative either. Rather, it's about pointing to the bottlenecks that are preventing change, and the need to combat incumbent interests.
Join us in reimagining an economics underpinned by collective purpose.
