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Economic Theory

As nations engage in a race for global advantage in innovation, ITIF champions a new policy paradigm that ensures businesses and national economies can compete successfully by spurring public and private investment in foundational areas such as research, skills, and 21st century infrastructure. Our work in the realm of economic theory assesses the negative impact of conventional neo-Keynesianism and neoclassical economics on the 21st century economy and promoting “Innovation Economics” as a sounder alternative.

Robert D. Atkinson
Robert D. Atkinson

President

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

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Stephen Ezell
Stephen Ezell

Vice President, Global Innovation Policy, and Director, Center for Life Sciences Innovation

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

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Featured

Speed Up America, Slow Down China, or Both? The Key Strategic Question for the 21st Century

Speed Up America, Slow Down China, or Both? The Key Strategic Question for the 21st Century

The reality is that if America does not do both—speed itself up, and slow China down—then it will likely lose the techno-economic race in the advanced, traded-sector industries that are most strategically important for the country’s dual-use industrial base and national security.

The National Economic Council Gets It Wrong on the Roles of Big and Small Firms in U.S. Innovation

The National Economic Council Gets It Wrong on the Roles of Big and Small Firms in U.S. Innovation

A new White House report insinuates that small firms are America’s true innovators. Advancing this narrative makes it easier to advance an anticorporate antitrust agenda, including banning all mergers. However, scholarly studies and data do not support the administration’s premise.

More Publications and Events

March 15, 2026|Op-Eds & Contributed Articles

Will Artificial Intelligence Turn Out to Be a Dream Killer?

Despite what the apostles of artificial general intelligence warn, there is no reason to think AGI will get here anytime soon, if ever.

March 12, 2026|Blogs

UBI: Unbelievably Bad Idea

Rather than proposing universal basic income as the solution to robots supposedly taking all our jobs, the task should be to improve federal worker adjustment assistance programs.

February 20, 2026|Blogs

We Don’t Want Our Companies to Be Jobs Programs

We should want companies to shed workers they no longer need. Productivity gains flow to lower prices, higher wages, and long-term growth. Don’t slow innovation—accelerate it.

February 18, 2026|Op-Eds & Contributed Articles

Are We in the Middle of an AI Boom or Bubble?

A quarter century after the dot-com revolution, artificial intelligence is prompting similar waves of exuberance and alarm. History suggests AI may face short-term hiccups, but is more likely headed toward robust, sustained growth.

February 13, 2026|Blogs

American Culture and the Decline of the Digital Spirit: Part II

The culture of digital and AI opposition is a growing threat to American prosperity and power. Unless we return at least to neutrality, other nations unburdened by this self-doubt will surpass us.

February 6, 2026|Blogs

American Culture and the Decline of the Digital Spirit: Part I

Culture matters. Just as England’s discomfort with industrialization weakened its economy, today’s U.S. elite skepticism risks becoming a collective headwind against digital progress.

November 20, 2025|Blogs

The G20 “Stiglitz Report” Offers Critically Flawed Antitrust Recommendations

A report on inequality commissioned for this year’s G20 summit offers ill-advised antitrust recommendations for reducing income and wealth inequality.

November 20, 2025|Blogs

Worker-Oriented Republicanism Is Not an America First Agenda

A pro-worker agenda isn’t the same as a “national greatness” agenda. Workers are an interest group like any other: sometimes aligned with what’s best for the American Republic, and sometimes not.

November 12, 2025|Blogs

Yes, Lina Khan Is a Marxist

The neo-Brandeisian movement cleverly repackages Marxist ideology under the guise of antitrust.

November 7, 2025|Blogs

EU Should Not Block Big Tech from Financial Data Access

The EU’s move to bar major U.S. tech companies from participating in its new financial data-sharing framework (FiDA) is a protectionist proposal that would limit consumer choice, suppress innovation, and undermine FiDA’s potential benefits.

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