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Michael Mandel

Vice President and Chief Economist

Follow Michael on Twitter @MichaelMandel

Dr. Michael Mandel is Vice President and Chief Economist at the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington DC and senior fellow at the Mack Institute for Innovation Management at the Wharton School (UPenn). He was chief economist at BusinessWeek prior to its purchase by Bloomberg.

With experience spanning policy, academics, and business, Dr. Mandel has helped lead the public conversation about the economic and business impact of technology for the past two decades. Mandel’s seminal analysis showing how ecommerce creates jobs and reduces inequality was featured by the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Financial Times, among others.

Mandel argues that Americans suffer from too little innovation, rather than too much. More innovation, especially in “physical” industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare, will raise wages and create more good jobs. His current work focuses on the economic benefits of digital manufacturing; job creation by ecommerce and 5G; pharmaceutical pricing and innovation; and regulation of cross-border data flows. He spearheads PPI’s “Investment Heroes” annual report, and tracks App Economy jobs around the world.

Mandel has written four books, including the optimistic Rational Exuberance. His economics textbook, Economics: The Basics, is in its fourth edition. He received a PhD in economics from Harvard University, and taught at NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Recent Work

Blog  |  April 4, 2025

The AI Investment Surge and Manufacturing

  • Michael Mandel
Blog  |  February 18, 2025

The Attacks on R&D

  • Michael Mandel
Press Release  |  February 10, 2025

New PPI Report Analyzes the “Wageless Boom,” Immigration, and the 2024 Election

  • Michael Mandel Andrew Fung
Publication  |  February 10, 2025

Real Wages, Immigration, and the Election

  • Michael Mandel Andrew Fung
Blog  |  December 19, 2024

Safety and Wages at Amazon: The Broader Context

  • Michael Mandel
Blog  |  December 18, 2024

A Note on Korean Tech Policy

  • Michael Mandel
Blog  |  November 26, 2024

Missing the Mark: How the DOJ’s Google Antitrust Remedies Fail Consumers and the Economy

  • Michael Mandel
Publication  |  October 22, 2024

Argentina: AI and the App Economy

  • Michael Mandel Andrew Fung
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