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Simon Johnson

Simon Johnson

@simonhrjohnson.bsky.social

1.8K followers 2 following 14 posts

MIT Sloan, MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative @mitshapingwork.bsky.social, and co-chair CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council. Former IMF.

Simon H. Johnson is a British-American economist who has served as the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management since 2004. He also served as a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics from 2008 to 2019. Before moving to MIT, he taught at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business from 1991 to 1997. From March 2007 through the end of August 2008, he served as Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund. .. more

Economics 52%

Business 19%

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Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · 3d

I am looking forward to speaking at this Georgetown Americas Institute conference on Monday, November 10. Registration is available here (including for the livestream): americas.georgetown.edu/events/the-a...

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · 12d

I am looking forward to chairing this panel on the causes and consequences of wealth inequality on Monday. Register to join us for the launch of our new Stone Center at MIT (in-person or virtually): shapingwork.mit.edu/events/stone...

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · 12d

Who is rich in America, and how did they become rich? How is wealth inequality connected to housing markets, finance, and the macroeconomy?

A panel at our upcoming launch will feature @atifrmian.bsky.social, @omzidar.bsky.social, and Antoinette Schoar.

Register: shapingwork.mit.edu/events/stone...

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · 12d

Who is rich in America, and how did they become rich? How is wealth inequality connected to housing markets, finance, and the macroeconomy?

A panel at our upcoming launch will feature @atifrmian.bsky.social, @omzidar.bsky.social, and Antoinette Schoar.

Register: shapingwork.mit.edu/events/stone...

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Oct 7

Please see my op-ed with Corey Klemmer out today: The Federal Reserve's Other Problem

www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/u...

The Federal Reserve’s Other Problem

Simon Johnson & Corey Klemmer take aim at a proposal by US regulators to loosen systemically important banks' equity requirements.

www.project-syndicate.org

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Oct 1

In Lindau, co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discussed the future of technology & inequality in the age of AI, synthesizing his Nobel-winning research with the latest insights on AI & work. Watch here: mediatheque.lindau-nobel.org/recordings/4...

📸 Torben Nuding/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Sep 26

I am one of the signatories on this amicus brief, filed yesterday, on the importance of central bank independence.

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Sep 17

On Friday, the Stone Center & @mitsloan.bsky.social hosted @michaelposner.bsky.social for a discussion of his book, Conscience Incorporated. The wide-ranging conversation, moderated by @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social, explored business leaders' role in addressing societal challenges such as inequality.

Reposted by Daron Acemoglu, David Autor, Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Sep 10

📣 Come work with us!

📊 We're hiring Predoctoral Researchers to work closely with @dacemoglumit.bsky.social, @davidautor.bsky.social, and @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social

📅 Apply by September 21 to meet the priority deadline: shapingwork.mit.edu/careers/

#econ_ra #econsky

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Aug 5

📖💬💥 Read Power and Progress: The Mini-Comic!

Developed with @joelchristiangill.bsky.social and the BU Visual Narrative MFA program, based on Power & Progress by @dacemoglumit.bsky.social & @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social

shapingwork.mit.edu/power-and-pr...

Reposted by Simon Johnson

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · Aug 4

In its eagerness to do the crypto industry’s bidding, the US Congress is adopting legislation that will expose Americans and the world to the real possibility of massive job losses and wealth destruction, warns Nobel laureate @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social.

The Crypto Crises Are Coming

Simon Johnson warns that new US legislation leaves the industry just where it wants to be: without regulatory safeguards.

www.project-syndicate.org

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Jul 25

How will AI impact inequality, in the US and globally? Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discusses what the preliminary data suggests.

Global economies whose competitive advantage currently comes from labor-intensive work could have the most to lose.

Reposted by Simon Johnson, Michael R. Strain

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · Apr 7

@michaelrstrain.bsky.social is spot on, says @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social. Trump’s latest tariffs will decrease, not increase, manufacturing employment.

A US Tariff Idea That Makes Sense | by Simon Johnson - Project Syndicate

Simon Johnson touts the benefits of a bipartisan Senate bill that would target Russian oil exports.

www.project-syndicate.org

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Jul 10

Why are some countries rich and others poor? How do institutions drive prosperity — or inequality? @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social unpacks these questions and more on this week's @planetmoney.bsky.social episode.

www.npr.org/2026/01/01/1...

Govt 1: Why Are Some Countries Rich and Some Countries Poor? (Institutions) : Planet Money Summer School

Government. The Big G. We like to imagine the free market and the invisible hand as being independent from political influence. But Nobel laureate, Simon Johnson, says that influence has been there ...

Reposted by Daron Acemoglu, David Autor, Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Jul 1

The MIT Shaping the Future of Work Initiative is now the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. Hear from our co-directors @dacemoglumit.bsky.social, @davidautor.bsky.social, and @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social about our mission and goals for the years ahead.

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Jun 5

"Our concern is that AI, which is made possible by our institutions, is pulled in a direction that undermines democracy."

Read insights from co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social in the IMF Finance & Development Magazine: www.imf.org/en/Publicati...

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Jun 3

I appeared on W Radio this morning to discuss the impacts of the House budget bill for working people. www.wradio.com.co/2025/06/03/n...

Nobel de Economía rechazó nuevo presupuesto de EE.UU: “aumenta desigualdad y afecta a trabajadores”

El Nobel de Economía, Simon Johnson, conversó con La W sobre el nuevo presupuesto de Estados Unidos avalado por el Congreso y la administración Trump, exponiendo sus preocupaciones.

www.wradio.com.co

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Jun 3

My op-ed with Brooksley Born on the GENIUS bill is now live.
"As currently drafted, the GENIUS bill paves another road to financial self-destruction that will undermine the American and global economy."
www.americanbanker.com/opinion/the-...

The Senate's stablecoin bill risks repeating past legislative mistakes

The GENIUS Act, in its current form, fails to account for the substantial risk of stablecoin runs and blocks regulators from imposing necessary oversight. It also lacks measures to prevent their use i...

www.americanbanker.com

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · May 29

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social explains why the US auto industry had such a massive increase in productivity in the early 20th century — and how workers were able to benefit, despite widespread automation.

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · May 19

We urgently need strong regulatory oversight of stablecoins. The GENIUS Act lacks fundamental provisions to preserve financial stability and would increase systemic risk stemming from stablecoin runs and inadequate guardrails on foreign issuers.

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · May 8

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social argues that Trump’s tariffs don’t mean the end of globalization, but rather a remaking of it.

The flows of ideas, trade, finance, and people will be reorganized, with significant consequences for who wins and loses around the world — and who has good jobs.

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · May 7

Don't miss this free event next week!
📅 Tues 5/13
⏰ 6:00 ET
📖 Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI
🗣️ @johncassidysays.bsky.social & @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social
📍Cambridge Public Library

Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/john-cassi...
@harvardbookstore.bsky.social

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · May 7

I was honored to speak on two panels at the @milkeninstitute.org 2025 Global Conference this week, one on balancing strategic competitiveness and shared prosperity, and the other on understanding the economics of the GLP-1 era. Recordings available here: milkeninstitute.org/events/globa...
#MIGlobal

Reposted by Simon Johnson

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · May 6

@simonhrjohnson.bsky.social and Erkki Liikanen look ahead to May 2026, when Donald Trump will nominate Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's successor. bit.ly/434cUTg

Financial Stability Requires an Independent Fed | by Simon Johnson & Erkki Liikanen - Project Syndicate

Simon Johnson & Erkki Liikanen look ahead to May 2026, when Donald Trump will nominate Fed Chair Jerome Powell's successor.

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Apr 29

📅 Tuesday, May 13
⏰ 6:00 PM ET
📖 Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI — @johncassidysays.bsky.social (with @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social )
📍 Cambridge Public Library

Learn more and register: www.eventbrite.com/e/john-cassi...

@harvardbookstore.bsky.social

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Apr 10

I was on PBS News Hour last night to discuss the latest developments in Trump's tariff policy. The segment is available here: www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

Trump pauses many of his tariffs but raises rate on China

President Trump stunned many by pausing higher tariff rates on most other countries for 90 days. But the president raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 125 percent after Beijing retaliated overnight. ...

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Apr 8

I appeared on CNBC Squawk Box this morning (directly after Treasury Secretary Bessent!) to discuss the impact of Trump's tariffs, including for the EU. www.cnbc.com/video/2025/0...

Trump's tariffs are unnecessary and 'massively counterproductive', says MIT's Simon Johnson

Simon Johnson, MIT Sloan School of Management professor and former IMF chief economist, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss President Trump's sweeping new global tariffs, impact on the global economy, state...

Reposted by Simon Johnson

EQUALS @equalshope.bsky.social · Apr 8

@simonhrjohnson.bsky.social on EQUALS: When powerful private sector interests capture the state or ideologies dismantle government counterweights, we face significant challenges. #AI #Inequality #Governance

Check out full episode here: www.equals.ink/p/ai-and-ine...

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Apr 7

Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social weighs in on the implications of Trump's tariffs for the global economy in @nytimes.com.

“A lot will depend on how Europe decides to play this."

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/06/w...

Trump’s Tariffs Will Wound Free Trade, but the Blow May Not Be Fatal

Free trade has been so beneficial to so many countries that the world may find a way to live without its biggest player.

www.nytimes.com

Simon Johnson @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social · Apr 7

My latest op-ed: A US Tariff Idea That Makes Sense

US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs were the culmination of a terrible first two months for his administration on the world stage. He badly needs a win, and a bipartisan Senate bill could give him one.

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · Apr 7

@michaelrstrain.bsky.social is spot on, says @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social. Trump’s latest tariffs will decrease, not increase, manufacturing employment.

A US Tariff Idea That Makes Sense | by Simon Johnson - Project Syndicate

Simon Johnson touts the benefits of a bipartisan Senate bill that would target Russian oil exports.

www.project-syndicate.org

Reposted by Simon Johnson

MIT Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work @mitshapingwork.bsky.social · Apr 2

Will AI disrupt existing oligarchy in the tech sector by increasing competition, or will it further centralize the reach and control of a few billionaires? Co-director @simonhrjohnson.bsky.social discusses.

Watch the full clip: youtu.be/FlqhSfL8wBI