Thomas Ferguson is the Research Director at the Institute for New Economic Thinking. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and Senior Fellow at Better Markets. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University and taught formerly at MIT and the University of Texas, Austin. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Golden Rule (University of Chicago Press, 1995) and Right Turn (Hill & Wang, 1986). His articles have appeared in many scholarly journals, including the Quarterly Journal of Economics, International Organization, International Studies Quarterly, and the Journal of Economic History. He is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Political Economy and a longtime Contributing Editor at The Nation.
Thomas Ferguson
By this expert
The Economic and Social Roots of Populist Rebellion: Support for Donald Trump in 2016
This paper critically analyzes voting patterns in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
INET Memo to G20: The Trouble with Economic Research Evaluation
In a memo for the G20, INET calls for changes to the evaluation of economic research to ensure that economic theory—and policy—is more rigorous, innovative, and in service to society.
Is There Another Bear in the Woods? How Not to Celebrate a 10th Anniversary
As the U.S. Congress works to undo financial regulation, INET reflects on the lessons of the Bear Stearns bailout
Britney and the Bear: Who Says You Can’t Get Good Help Anymore?
From the Archives: In the wake of the Bear Stearns bailout in 2008, INET Research Director Tom Ferguson and President Rob Johnson say taxpayers rescuing banks are owed their due: “If the public is going to pay for [bailouts]… it should also get paid back for them.”
Featuring this expert
Thomas Ferguson's INET article affluent authoritarianism is discussed in Counterpunch
“Conveniently for present purposes, Naked Capitalism posted a piece by political scientist Thomas Ferguson on the determinants of political decision making— that is, on the ‘product’ that elected representatives produce. The punchline: ‘money,’ as defined by the interests of corporate executives and oligarchs, is the overwhelming determinant of ‘political’ outcomes. Advancing the public will— the liberal explanation; or the public interest, the explanation offered for representative democracy, have no bearing. The longstanding practice of fitting political outcomes into these theoretical frames to ‘explain’ public policies is scientific malpractice given Mr. Ferguson’s findings.” —- Rob Urie
YSI 2020 Plenary: New Economic Questions Young Scholars Initiative Virtual Plenary
What are the 100 most pertinent economic questions facing our global societ?
Research Webinar & Book Launch: Macroeconomic Inequality From Reagan to Trump
A discussion with Lance Taylor and Özlem Ömer, authors of INET’s new book Macroeconomics Inequality from Reagan to Trump
Money, Politics, and Social Conflict in the Age of COVID & YSI Discussion with Thomas Ferguson - 12pm ET / 9am PT
Every country has had a different policy response to the crisis; and within countries different political parties have championed various approaches. How has COVID-19 affected politics and social life in developed western countries?