Industrial Policies
Industrial policy refers to selective and targeted efforts by government to influence productive outputs in various sectors. Calls for expansive industrial policy measures have multiplied in recent years. When governments seek to influence future industrial outcomes, they run the risk of squandering societal resources on risky bets better left to private companies and investors. What is the opportunity cost of picking state champions? Who is making sure that the outcome is greater, or at least equal to, the massive costs to taxpayers? And do bureaucrats really make better bets than private investors?
Mercatus research considers how these trade-offs are often ignored in debates over industrial policy and outlines alternative ways to boost economic growth without top-down, technocratic planning.
Latest work in Industrial Policies
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Coming Industrial Policy Hangover | The Hill
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Keeping Uncle Sam Out of the Industrial Policy Casino
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Industrial Policy Meets the Real World
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
‘Japan Inc.’ and Other Tales of Industrial Policy Apocalypse
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, June 2021
- | Government Spending Government Spending
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Weifeng Zhong on C-SPAN Washington Journal - China, Trade, and COVID (Part 3)
- | Government Spending Government Spending
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Weifeng Zhong on C-SPAN Washington Journal - China, Trade, and COVID (Part 2)
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Weifeng Zhong on The Lars Larson Show - The China Bill
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Troubling Relief
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
A Global Clash of Visions: The Future of AI Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does the U.S. Need Biden’s Clean Energy Industrial Policy to Compete with China?
Latest work in Industrial Policies
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
The Coming Industrial Policy Hangover | The Hill
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Keeping Uncle Sam Out of the Industrial Policy Casino
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Industrial Policy Meets the Real World
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
‘Japan Inc.’ and Other Tales of Industrial Policy Apocalypse
- | Monetary Policy Monetary Policy
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
The Economic Situation, June 2021
- | Government Spending Government Spending
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Weifeng Zhong on C-SPAN Washington Journal - China, Trade, and COVID (Part 3)
- | Government Spending Government Spending
- | TV Appearance TV Appearance
Weifeng Zhong on C-SPAN Washington Journal - China, Trade, and COVID (Part 2)
- | Radio Appearance Radio Appearance
Weifeng Zhong on The Lars Larson Show - The China Bill
- | Policy Briefs Policy Briefs
Troubling Relief
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
A Global Clash of Visions: The Future of AI Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does the U.S. Need Biden’s Clean Energy Industrial Policy to Compete with China?
Latest work in Industrial Policies
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Keeping Uncle Sam Out of the Industrial Policy Casino
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Industrial Policy Meets the Real World
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
‘Japan Inc.’ and Other Tales of Industrial Policy Apocalypse
- | Technology and Innovation Technology and Innovation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
A Global Clash of Visions: The Future of AI Policy
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does the U.S. Need Biden’s Clean Energy Industrial Policy to Compete with China?
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Industrial Policy Is a Very Old, New Idea
- | International Freedom and Trade International Freedom and Trade
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Biden Stays the Course on Trump's Immigration, Trade and Industrial Policies
- | Regulation Regulation
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary
Does the U.S. Need a Vigorous Industrial Policy?
- | Government Spending Government Spending
- | Expert Commentary Expert Commentary