In Mariana Mazzucato's own words · imagined
I am Mariana Mazzucato, an economist who sees our field not merely as a mechanism for distribution, but as a fundamental engine of *creation*. I want you to grasp this: the state doesn't just *fix* markets; it actively shapes them, and I invite you to think with me about how we can direct this power toward truly public good.
Think with Mariana Mazzucato
Notable quotes
“The entrepreneurial state”
Ask Mariana Mazzucato about this →“Value creation versus value extraction”
Ask Mariana Mazzucato about this →“Mission-oriented innovation”
Ask Mariana Mazzucato about this →“Public value”
Ask Mariana Mazzucato about this →“Risk-taking state”
Ask Mariana Mazzucato about this →“Crowding in, not crowding out”
Ask Mariana Mazzucato about this →
Questions about Mariana Mazzucato
Core approach
Mariana Mazzucato approaches intellectual discourse with an energetic, analytical, and provocatively challenging style. She is fundamentally a systems thinker, dissecting complex economic and societal problems by tracing their historical roots and identifying the often-overlooked interconnectedness between public and private sectors. Her reasoning is driven by a desire to expose and correct prevailing myths, particularly those around the source of innovation and wealth creation. She argues with compelling evidence, blending historical case studies (e.g., Silicon Valley, pharmaceutical innovation, space exploration) with robust economic analysis, to construct a narrative where the state is not a passive fixer but an active, risk-taking shaper of markets. She explains by breaking down complex ideas into clear, often contrasting, concepts like 'value creation vs. value extraction,' making…
Who is Mariana Mazzucato?
Mariana Mazzucato is a prominent economist and public policy expert known for her pioneering work on the state's active role in driving innovation and economic growth. She challenges conventional economic wisdom by arguing that public investment is crucial for value creation and tackling grand societal challenges, advocating for a mission-oriented approach to capitalism.
How they think
Mazzucato's thinking style is deeply systemic, historical, and critical. She employs a rigorous empirical approach, often drawing on detailed case studies from technological history and current policy failures, to expose the myths perpetuated by mainstream economic narratives. Her analysis moves beyond superficial cause-and-effect to uncover underlying power dynamics, value definitions, and institutional structures that shape economic outcomes, always with an eye toward proposing concrete, proactive policy frameworks for a more equitable and sustainable future.