Research Outputs

From enthusiasm to apathy: dwindling support for globalization among future generations

While globalization has been linked to economic growth and poverty reduction, rising inequality and discontent in both developing and developed countries raise critical questions about its long-term sustainability. Authors Irfan Nooruddin and Nita Rudra examine the support for globalization in developing countries, challenging the prevailing intellectual and policy consensus that globalization predominantly benefits less developed countries (LDCs). Their essay highlights the need for a reassessment of globalization’s role in developing economies to prevent further political and economic instability.

Read the article in JIEL.

Economic risk perceptions and willingness to learn about globalization: A ﬁeld experiment with migrants and other underprivileged groups in Vietnam

Existing research maintains that socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals are reluctant to seek information that might help mitigate risk. Authors Niccolò Bonifai, Edmund J. Malesky, and Nita Rudra challenge this convention by proposing that perceptions of risks associated with global economic shocks can incentivize some disadvantaged individuals to acquire knowledge about their distributional effects. Their ﬁndings help uncover the key role migrants can play in supporting globalization and shared prosperity.

Read the article in AJPS.

America is Fighting the Wrong Trade War

The China shock is over, and U.S. trade policies need to adapt accordingly. More tariffs are not expanding the labor market. In fact, they may be suppressing it. In this piece for Foreign Affairs Magazine, authors Bonifai, Rudra, Ludema, and Jensen highlight the dangers of reactionary protectionism and the importance of engaging in an increasingly interconnected world.

Read the article in Foreign Affairs.

Is trade really toxic? How imports support American jobs

The findings from our white paper, commissioned by the Hinrich Foundation, challenge the notion that global trade is bad for American workers. Our research highlights the economic benefits of globalization and the need to rethink trade policy.

Read the report here.

Evolving Trade Dynamics: Global Imports and Their Role in Supporting US Jobs

On August 8th, 2024, Executive Director Nita Rudra, along with Professor Brad Jensen and Niccolo Bonifai, presented on the evolving landscape of US trade policy and its impact on manufacturing employment. This presentation was moderated by the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA.

Read the takeaways here.