Matti Ylönen
@mattiylonen.bsky.social
Academy Research Fellow, project Seeing Like a Tech Firm. On a research leave from my job as a University Lecturer, World Politics, University of Helsinki.
Pinned
Matti Ylönen
@mattiylonen.bsky.social
· May 13
Reconceptualising the Brussels Effect
The Brussels effect has become a major tool for analysing the global exemplary impact of the European Union (EU) rules in academia and policy-making. It is entering uncharted territory. Heightened co...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Nice to note just that my recent @jcms-eu.bsky.social article "Reconceptualising the Brussels Effect" is now Open Access. The article gives tools to grasp external efforts to derail the EU's global power, how these efforts evolve over time, and to what effect. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
Four more deals announced - Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador - with similar language on "discriminatory" digital services taxes.
Trump is clearly committed to playing bilateral whack-a-mole to prevent DSTs.
Trump is clearly committed to playing bilateral whack-a-mole to prevent DSTs.
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Four more deals announced - Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador, El Salvador - with similar language on "discriminatory" digital services taxes.
Trump is clearly committed to playing bilateral whack-a-mole to prevent DSTs.
Trump is clearly committed to playing bilateral whack-a-mole to prevent DSTs.
I'm reading the World Bank's 2024 International Debt Report, and what a blunt way to kick-off such a document! Not long ago, so many people in development policy circles were indeed repeating the "from billions to trillions" phrase as a silver bullet for development financing and global development.
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM
I'm reading the World Bank's 2024 International Debt Report, and what a blunt way to kick-off such a document! Not long ago, so many people in development policy circles were indeed repeating the "from billions to trillions" phrase as a silver bullet for development financing and global development.
Listening to Mamdani's victory speech while working, I was surprised to hear him quoting prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru – a very different kind of economic nationalist than President Trump. www.bbc.com/news/article...
In Mamdani's New York win, India's Nehru finds an echo
At his New York victory rally, Zohran Mamdani gave a nod to Nehru’s iconic speech marking India's independence.
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Listening to Mamdani's victory speech while working, I was surprised to hear him quoting prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru – a very different kind of economic nationalist than President Trump. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Just submitted this Abstract to the British International Studies Association conference in Glasgow in 06/2026, alongside a panel proposal on taxation and International Political Economy we're submitting with @katharinakuhn.bsky.social. Never been to BISA but would be great to go. Deadline today.
November 3, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Just submitted this Abstract to the British International Studies Association conference in Glasgow in 06/2026, alongside a panel proposal on taxation and International Political Economy we're submitting with @katharinakuhn.bsky.social. Never been to BISA but would be great to go. Deadline today.
I had to look up an article from the first issue of the World Development, 1973. They launched the journal with style. (The article was "Fact and Fancy in International Economic Relations" by Thomas Balogh & Peter Balacs – in a very different genre from the econometric studies that prevail today.)
September 26, 2025 at 11:10 AM
I had to look up an article from the first issue of the World Development, 1973. They launched the journal with style. (The article was "Fact and Fancy in International Economic Relations" by Thomas Balogh & Peter Balacs – in a very different genre from the econometric studies that prevail today.)
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
Parhaillaan käydään parlamentaarisia neuvotteluita velkajarrusta. Neuvotteluissa olisi syytä ottaa huomioon myös lakiin sisältyvä niin sanottu turvamarginaalisäädös, jonka myötä sosiaaliturvarahastojen ylijäämät jätettäisiin huomiotta arvioitaessa EU-sääntöjen mukaista 3 prosentin alijäämärajaa. 1/x
September 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Parhaillaan käydään parlamentaarisia neuvotteluita velkajarrusta. Neuvotteluissa olisi syytä ottaa huomioon myös lakiin sisältyvä niin sanottu turvamarginaalisäädös, jonka myötä sosiaaliturvarahastojen ylijäämät jätettäisiin huomiotta arvioitaessa EU-sääntöjen mukaista 3 prosentin alijäämärajaa. 1/x
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
Now open access on @tandfresearch.bsky.social!
Ní Chasaide, N., & Ó Riain, S. (2025). Tax games: the case of Ireland in the global dynamics of corporate taxation. Review of International Political Economy
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Ní Chasaide, N., & Ó Riain, S. (2025). Tax games: the case of Ireland in the global dynamics of corporate taxation. Review of International Political Economy
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Tax games: the case of Ireland in the global dynamics of corporate taxation
This article proposes a new analytical framework of ‘tax games’ providing fresh insights into the dynamics of global corporate taxation. Tax games are defined as institutionalised configurations of...
www.tandfonline.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Now open access on @tandfresearch.bsky.social!
Ní Chasaide, N., & Ó Riain, S. (2025). Tax games: the case of Ireland in the global dynamics of corporate taxation. Review of International Political Economy
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Ní Chasaide, N., & Ó Riain, S. (2025). Tax games: the case of Ireland in the global dynamics of corporate taxation. Review of International Political Economy
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
"The paradox of the UN is the decline in its fortunes and prestige at a time when the demand for international management and cooperation, arising from growing interdependence and a burgeoning of global problems, has never been clearer or more insistent." From 1989, but could be from today's news.
September 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
"The paradox of the UN is the decline in its fortunes and prestige at a time when the demand for international management and cooperation, arising from growing interdependence and a burgeoning of global problems, has never been clearer or more insistent." From 1989, but could be from today's news.
I've been back reading Stephen Hymer: a fascinating figure. In his life that was cut short at just 39 years, he kicked off International Business studies with a thesis that revitalized the 1930s monopolistic competition ideas, and was at first deemed "analytically insufficient" for publication. 1/2
September 22, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I've been back reading Stephen Hymer: a fascinating figure. In his life that was cut short at just 39 years, he kicked off International Business studies with a thesis that revitalized the 1930s monopolistic competition ideas, and was at first deemed "analytically insufficient" for publication. 1/2
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
Tuoreessa artikkelissaan dos. Matti Ylönen @mattiylonen.bsky.social ja VTT Laura Nordström @lauranordstrom.bsky.social tarkastelevat teknologiayritysten lobbausta Euroopan unionissa. 1/4
September 19, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Tuoreessa artikkelissaan dos. Matti Ylönen @mattiylonen.bsky.social ja VTT Laura Nordström @lauranordstrom.bsky.social tarkastelevat teknologiayritysten lobbausta Euroopan unionissa. 1/4
Today I've been captivated by this project, which I stumbled upon via Spotify's algorithms. I haven’t explored everything yet, but highlighting e.g. Brad Reason's breakbeat tracks with early 2000s feel, and Mikael Ayrapetyan's somber piano pieces. Strange and alluring.
thenoamchomskymusicproject.com
thenoamchomskymusicproject.com
The Noam Chomsky Music Project
The Noam Chomsky Music Project aims to both preserve and celebrate his outlook on the world and amplify his voice through Music.
thenoamchomskymusicproject.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today I've been captivated by this project, which I stumbled upon via Spotify's algorithms. I haven’t explored everything yet, but highlighting e.g. Brad Reason's breakbeat tracks with early 2000s feel, and Mikael Ayrapetyan's somber piano pieces. Strange and alluring.
thenoamchomskymusicproject.com
thenoamchomskymusicproject.com
One of the joys of academia is struggling with an elusive argument for a long time (even years) and then discovering an old book that helps to settle that matter.
August 22, 2025 at 5:15 AM
One of the joys of academia is struggling with an elusive argument for a long time (even years) and then discovering an old book that helps to settle that matter.
The autobiography of Charles Kindleberger was interesting—even funny—reading. During this trip in Helsinki, he bought a huge rye bread, mistaking it for a gingerbread. He also visited UNU-WIDER in 1986, struggling to find a mechanical typewriter, as only electric ones were in offer.
July 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The autobiography of Charles Kindleberger was interesting—even funny—reading. During this trip in Helsinki, he bought a huge rye bread, mistaking it for a gingerbread. He also visited UNU-WIDER in 1986, struggling to find a mechanical typewriter, as only electric ones were in offer.
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
Canada becomes the second country (after India) to scale back its taxation of US Big Tech to appease Trump, whereas others (notably the UK) have resisted
Canada scraps tech tax to advance trade talks with Donald Trump
US president had described levy as ‘direct and blatant’ attack on the country
on.ft.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Canada becomes the second country (after India) to scale back its taxation of US Big Tech to appease Trump, whereas others (notably the UK) have resisted
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
For those who prefer something shorter to a full-length academic article, here's a press release of the article “What Sustains Flawed Indicators? Unpacking the EU’s Administrative Burden Agenda” (w/ Tero Erkkilä), published at the Policy Studies journal yesterday: www.helsinki.fi/en/news/fair... 1/4
Flawed Impact Metrics Jeopardize EU Deregulation Plans, Study Finds | University of Helsinki
A newly published peer-reviewed study has raised concerns about the evidence base behind the European Union’s long-running efforts to reduce bureaucracy for businesses, suggesting that key measurement...
www.helsinki.fi
June 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
For those who prefer something shorter to a full-length academic article, here's a press release of the article “What Sustains Flawed Indicators? Unpacking the EU’s Administrative Burden Agenda” (w/ Tero Erkkilä), published at the Policy Studies journal yesterday: www.helsinki.fi/en/news/fair... 1/4
For those who prefer something shorter to a full-length academic article, here's a press release of the article “What Sustains Flawed Indicators? Unpacking the EU’s Administrative Burden Agenda” (w/ Tero Erkkilä), published at the Policy Studies journal yesterday: www.helsinki.fi/en/news/fair... 1/4
Flawed Impact Metrics Jeopardize EU Deregulation Plans, Study Finds | University of Helsinki
A newly published peer-reviewed study has raised concerns about the evidence base behind the European Union’s long-running efforts to reduce bureaucracy for businesses, suggesting that key measurement...
www.helsinki.fi
June 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
For those who prefer something shorter to a full-length academic article, here's a press release of the article “What Sustains Flawed Indicators? Unpacking the EU’s Administrative Burden Agenda” (w/ Tero Erkkilä), published at the Policy Studies journal yesterday: www.helsinki.fi/en/news/fair... 1/4
Von der Leyen’s Commission has pursued a small set of priority agendas, each typically associated with extensive and critical academic scrutiny. A notable exception is the push to reduce “administrative burdens.” This agenda has seen a striking lack of critical, peer-reviewed scholarship. 1/5
June 24, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Von der Leyen’s Commission has pursued a small set of priority agendas, each typically associated with extensive and critical academic scrutiny. A notable exception is the push to reduce “administrative burdens.” This agenda has seen a striking lack of critical, peer-reviewed scholarship. 1/5
A less visible side of the academia: starting my fourth peer review comment in two weeks and two more to go, a personal record. Three are 2nd round reviews, which are kind of obligatory. One is for a Finnish-language journal, with a small reviewer pool. Luckily, many interesting papers in this pile.
June 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A less visible side of the academia: starting my fourth peer review comment in two weeks and two more to go, a personal record. Three are 2nd round reviews, which are kind of obligatory. One is for a Finnish-language journal, with a small reviewer pool. Luckily, many interesting papers in this pile.
This could be of interest for example to @ahokasjaj.bsky.social and others at the BIOS research unit.
What does de-risked decarbonization mean for state capacity across sectors?
I am THRILLED that this article is now out in @ripejournal.bsky.social! 🔓
Current climate finance regimes lock in lopsided transitions - states need resources for unbankable transitions.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I am THRILLED that this article is now out in @ripejournal.bsky.social! 🔓
Current climate finance regimes lock in lopsided transitions - states need resources for unbankable transitions.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The limits to derisked decarbonization: state capacity unevenness in domestic green transition strategies
With the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, governments around the world committed to developing national plans to reduce emissions and limit average global temperatures to below 2 °C above p...
www.tandfonline.com
June 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
This could be of interest for example to @ahokasjaj.bsky.social and others at the BIOS research unit.
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
What do tax cuts for the rich do?
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
May 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
What do tax cuts for the rich do?
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
They increase inequality.
They have no effect on economic growth or unemployment.
"Our results provide strong evidence against the influential political–economic idea that tax cuts for the rich ‘trickle down’ to boost the wider economy."
Reposted by Matti Ylönen
Thrilled to share that the Cambridge Global Handbook of Financial Infrastructure, co-edited with Malcolm Campbell-Verduyn and Barbara Brandl, has been published!
You can find all chapters open access: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
You can find all chapters open access: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
The Cambridge Global Handbook of Financial Infrastructure
Cambridge Core - Finance and Accountancy - The Cambridge Global Handbook of Financial Infrastructure
doi.org
May 22, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Thrilled to share that the Cambridge Global Handbook of Financial Infrastructure, co-edited with Malcolm Campbell-Verduyn and Barbara Brandl, has been published!
You can find all chapters open access: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
You can find all chapters open access: doi.org/10.1017/9781...
This was fun to write and of course it stands on research done jointly with @phdskat.org
Also, it you’re not following the Critical Takes on Corporate Power, consider doing so. The website regularly tackles many of the most pressing issues we are facing.
Also, it you’re not following the Critical Takes on Corporate Power, consider doing so. The website regularly tackles many of the most pressing issues we are facing.
New on Critical Takes:
The UN Commission on Transnational Corporations did ground-breaking work till the 1990s.
Its fate shows why we need to protect sources of knowledge about corporate malpractice, says @mattiylonen.bsky.social
criticaltakes.org/the-corporat...
Also @phdskat.org
The UN Commission on Transnational Corporations did ground-breaking work till the 1990s.
Its fate shows why we need to protect sources of knowledge about corporate malpractice, says @mattiylonen.bsky.social
criticaltakes.org/the-corporat...
Also @phdskat.org
May 20, 2025 at 8:47 AM
This was fun to write and of course it stands on research done jointly with @phdskat.org
Also, it you’re not following the Critical Takes on Corporate Power, consider doing so. The website regularly tackles many of the most pressing issues we are facing.
Also, it you’re not following the Critical Takes on Corporate Power, consider doing so. The website regularly tackles many of the most pressing issues we are facing.
I'm browsing old editions of the IDS Bulletin by the Institute of Development Studies. Fascinating snapshots from the structural adjustment era and beyond. In this one issue from 1985, contributors include Martin Wolf, Carlota Perez, Robin Murray and Mary Kaldor. bulletin.ids.ac.uk/index.php/id...
IDS Bulletin
The IDS Bulletin is an open access, peer-reviewed journal exploring emerging international development topics.
bulletin.ids.ac.uk
May 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I'm browsing old editions of the IDS Bulletin by the Institute of Development Studies. Fascinating snapshots from the structural adjustment era and beyond. In this one issue from 1985, contributors include Martin Wolf, Carlota Perez, Robin Murray and Mary Kaldor. bulletin.ids.ac.uk/index.php/id...
Nice to note just that my recent @jcms-eu.bsky.social article "Reconceptualising the Brussels Effect" is now Open Access. The article gives tools to grasp external efforts to derail the EU's global power, how these efforts evolve over time, and to what effect. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reconceptualising the Brussels Effect
The Brussels effect has become a major tool for analysing the global exemplary impact of the European Union (EU) rules in academia and policy-making. It is entering uncharted territory. Heightened co...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
May 13, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Nice to note just that my recent @jcms-eu.bsky.social article "Reconceptualising the Brussels Effect" is now Open Access. The article gives tools to grasp external efforts to derail the EU's global power, how these efforts evolve over time, and to what effect. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Weaponized interdependence, Star Wars / Andor style. (I'll get my coat.)
May 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Weaponized interdependence, Star Wars / Andor style. (I'll get my coat.)