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.
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.
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.)
"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
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.
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
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.)
These conditions are market size, inelastic targets, regulatory capacity, stringent standards & their non-divisibility. Market size and inelastic targets of regulation are difficult to influence for external actors. But the rest can be influenced across the policy cycle, as the figure showcases 8/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
These conditions are market size, inelastic targets, regulatory capacity, stringent standards & their non-divisibility. Market size and inelastic targets of regulation are difficult to influence for external actors. But the rest can be influenced across the policy cycle, as the figure showcases 8/10
This figure introduces three further changes. 1) Focusing on the EU institution(s) instead of "EU rules"; 2) Incorporating third country lobbying/pressure (e.g. Trump); 3) Acknowledging that the Brussels Effect has become an argumentative device and a "socializing tool" in the EU politics. 6/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
This figure introduces three further changes. 1) Focusing on the EU institution(s) instead of "EU rules"; 2) Incorporating third country lobbying/pressure (e.g. Trump); 3) Acknowledging that the Brussels Effect has become an argumentative device and a "socializing tool" in the EU politics. 6/10
My redefinition opens avenues for incorporating corporate efforts to resist the Brussels effect to this theory. The third figure shows how firms can preemptively lobby the EU for mitigating this effect, or to promote EU norms in form while diluting their contents (modified de facto effect). 5/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
My redefinition opens avenues for incorporating corporate efforts to resist the Brussels effect to this theory. The third figure shows how firms can preemptively lobby the EU for mitigating this effect, or to promote EU norms in form while diluting their contents (modified de facto effect). 5/10
To address such issues, the Brussels effect must be redefined with systematic political economy conceptions of instrumental and structural/hybrid power. This figure expresses the original Brussels Effect as the EU's structural power, sometimes mediated by large firms that adopt EU-styled rules. 4/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
To address such issues, the Brussels effect must be redefined with systematic political economy conceptions of instrumental and structural/hybrid power. This figure expresses the original Brussels Effect as the EU's structural power, sometimes mediated by large firms that adopt EU-styled rules. 4/10
Accordingly, we must revisit the theory of the Brussels effect. It was a major opening but it 1) lacked uniform definitions for the effects' two aspects; 2) was one-directional (EU>world); 3) approached the EU as a set rules instead of institutions. This figure shows the original definitions. 3/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Accordingly, we must revisit the theory of the Brussels effect. It was a major opening but it 1) lacked uniform definitions for the effects' two aspects; 2) was one-directional (EU>world); 3) approached the EU as a set rules instead of institutions. This figure shows the original definitions. 3/10
Recently, the European Policy Center—one of many Brussels-based organizations with major American tech firms as members—noted, “we are witnessing ... the US sounding the final death knell of the Brussels effect.” I argue that things are, and have been, significantly more nuanced than that. 2/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Recently, the European Policy Center—one of many Brussels-based organizations with major American tech firms as members—noted, “we are witnessing ... the US sounding the final death knell of the Brussels effect.” I argue that things are, and have been, significantly more nuanced than that. 2/10
I have done copious interviews on tech lobbying in Brussels. One book that kept appearing in these discussions was Anu Bradford's Brussels Effect—How the European Union Rules the World. My new article reconceptualizes this effect, updating it for the era of Trump and emboldened tech executives. 1/10
March 28, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I have done copious interviews on tech lobbying in Brussels. One book that kept appearing in these discussions was Anu Bradford's Brussels Effect—How the European Union Rules the World. My new article reconceptualizes this effect, updating it for the era of Trump and emboldened tech executives. 1/10
Blast from the past in today's Politico Global Playbook: I kind of long for the ancient times when the major controversial thing in tech was IBM's dominance.
January 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Blast from the past in today's Politico Global Playbook: I kind of long for the ancient times when the major controversial thing in tech was IBM's dominance.
I'm in the process of putting my X account into hibernation (better late than never) and going through some old posts. One must admire this level of honesty in writing.
January 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I'm in the process of putting my X account into hibernation (better late than never) and going through some old posts. One must admire this level of honesty in writing.
The idea that Meta would somehow become a shangri-la of "free speech" with community notes was absurd: its privacy policy bans info from hacked sources; relies on a U.S. State Department list of terrorist groups; and includes broad clauses on private information. But this is still quite something!
January 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The idea that Meta would somehow become a shangri-la of "free speech" with community notes was absurd: its privacy policy bans info from hacked sources; relies on a U.S. State Department list of terrorist groups; and includes broad clauses on private information. But this is still quite something!
Can't wait to get this one out soon, after the proofs get processed! It will be an entirely new take to the Brussels Effect, which Anu Bradford devised to capture the EU's global sway. I'm empowering this framework with tools needed to encompass the efforts by Musk and others to derail this Effect.
January 14, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Can't wait to get this one out soon, after the proofs get processed! It will be an entirely new take to the Brussels Effect, which Anu Bradford devised to capture the EU's global sway. I'm empowering this framework with tools needed to encompass the efforts by Musk and others to derail this Effect.
Is it just my intermittent news following, or did this statement pass without much public debate? In times of record income and wealth inequalities, the leader of a military alliance finds it ok to dictate to member states how to balance their public spending vs. tax policy—and from where to cut.
December 16, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Is it just my intermittent news following, or did this statement pass without much public debate? In times of record income and wealth inequalities, the leader of a military alliance finds it ok to dictate to member states how to balance their public spending vs. tax policy—and from where to cut.
While reading the paper "The Internet and public policy: Future directions" by Vili Lehdonvirta et al., I bumped into Vili's citation of a most bizarre op-ed title I've seen in a while—already in 2018 context, and ofc has not aged well. But amusing to see such "world is flat" leaning as late as then
December 13, 2024 at 11:32 AM
While reading the paper "The Internet and public policy: Future directions" by Vili Lehdonvirta et al., I bumped into Vili's citation of a most bizarre op-ed title I've seen in a while—already in 2018 context, and ofc has not aged well. But amusing to see such "world is flat" leaning as late as then
I am oddly happy that at least @jbentonheath.bsky.social noted the 1970s beauty of the Centre on Transnational Corporations Reporter. Btw, it became UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal as the UNCTC was butchered in '92, with a conventional (and visually dull!) academic style. Ping @phdskat.org
December 11, 2024 at 7:39 AM
I am oddly happy that at least @jbentonheath.bsky.social noted the 1970s beauty of the Centre on Transnational Corporations Reporter. Btw, it became UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal as the UNCTC was butchered in '92, with a conventional (and visually dull!) academic style. Ping @phdskat.org
Moreover, we link to the research on offshore enablers by @ebharrington.bsky.social etc. and the revival of studies of dependencia scholars by @ingridhk.bsky.social. Further, the paper stresses the strong Marxist inspiration for early IPE, continued today @clairq.bsky.social and colleagues. 9/10
December 8, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Moreover, we link to the research on offshore enablers by @ebharrington.bsky.social etc. and the revival of studies of dependencia scholars by @ingridhk.bsky.social. Further, the paper stresses the strong Marxist inspiration for early IPE, continued today @clairq.bsky.social and colleagues. 9/10
While the paper zooms into one theme, it also highlights broader risks of 'forgetting' key themes in academia/policy. We connect with various debates, as highlighted by some bsky users below, starting w/ the pioneering corporate power research of @mbabic.bsky.social @janfichtner.bsky.social etc 8/10
December 8, 2024 at 9:53 AM
While the paper zooms into one theme, it also highlights broader risks of 'forgetting' key themes in academia/policy. We connect with various debates, as highlighted by some bsky users below, starting w/ the pioneering corporate power research of @mbabic.bsky.social @janfichtner.bsky.social etc 8/10
Things were not radically different in the academia. With the epistemic communities destroyed, the research began almost from scratch. An opportunity to meticulously analyze and address years of massive growth of economic inequalities – fueled by tax haven use – had been gravely underutilized. 7/10
December 8, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Things were not radically different in the academia. With the epistemic communities destroyed, the research began almost from scratch. An opportunity to meticulously analyze and address years of massive growth of economic inequalities – fueled by tax haven use – had been gravely underutilized. 7/10