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Keun Lee

Keun Lee

Writing for PS since 2021
17 commentaries

Keun Lee, a former vice chair of the National Economic Advisory Council for the President of South Korea, is Distinguished Professor of Economics at Seoul National University, a fellow at CIFAR, an editor at Research Policy, and the author, most recently, of Innovation-Development Detours for Latecomers: Managing Global-Local Interfaces in the De-Globalization Era (Cambridge University Press, 2024).

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  1. What Fiscally Sound Industrial Policy Can Do
    klee19_Gerhard JorenLightRocket via Getty Images_hyundaimanufacturing Gerhard Joren/LightRocket via Getty Images

    What Fiscally Sound Industrial Policy Can Do

    May 2, 2024 Keun Lee highlights three tools that can support domestic-market growth and development without breaking the bank.

  2. Making the Most of FDI
    klee18_Daniel BerehulakGetty Images_shenzhen Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

    Making the Most of FDI

    Feb 22, 2024 Keun Lee considers what it takes to convert foreign investment into growth, development, and technological upgrading.

  3. South Korea and the US-China Rivalry
    klee17_Chris JungNurPhoto via Getty Images_south korea Chris JungNurPhoto via Getty Images

    South Korea and the US-China Rivalry

    Dec 22, 2023 Keun Lee shows that, while protectionist policies benefit some firms, the overall effect on third parties is negative.

  4. Time For a Coffee Cartel?
    klee16_CARL DE SOUZAAFP via Getty Images_coffee CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images

    Time For a Coffee Cartel?

    Oct 25, 2023 Keun Lee thinks producers in the Global South should consider the option to boost their bargaining power and revenues.

  5. The Key to Greening Heavy Industry
    klee15_ INA FASSBENDERAFP via Getty Images_green hydrogen INA FASSBENDERAFP via Getty Images

    The Key to Greening Heavy Industry

    Aug 21, 2023 Keun Lee & John Mathews tout breakthroughs in green-hydrogen production that promise to accelerate the net-zero transition.

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  1. adda1_ Nicholas KajobaXinhua via Getty Images_hbv Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua via Getty Images

    A Big Step Forward for Liver Health

    Danjuma Adda explains how new hepatitis guidelines from the World Health Organization could reduce cancer deaths in Africa.
  2. khrushcheva181_ SERGEI BOBYLYOVPOOLAFP via Getty Images)_xi putin SERGEI BOBYLYOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

    The Fragile Fraternity of China and Russia

    Nina L. Khrushcheva

    Vladimir Putin’s recent state visit to Beijing – his first trip abroad since being inaugurated for a fifth term – was practically a mirror image of Mao Zedong’s visit to Moscow 75 years ago, when Stalin looked down on his guest. There is little reason to think that the bilateral relationship will prove more resilient this time.

    doubts that two countries with such diverging interests will be able to build a lasting partnership.
  3. subacchi41_ViaframeGetty Images_worldcrackingglobebreaking Viaframe/Getty Images

    The Global Economy Is More Vulnerable Than It Seems

    Bertrand Badré & Yves Tiberghien identify five factors driving a potentially catastrophic trend toward fragmentation.
  4. skidelsky201_Leon NealGetty Images_BOE Leon Neal/Getty Images

    The Myth of Central-Bank Independence

    Robert Skidelsky thinks the time has come to transfer power from technocrats back to elected officials.
  5. vaheesan2_Michael M. SantiagoGetty Images_gigworkersprotest Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    The Gig Economy vs. America’s Workers

    Sandeep Vaheesan warns that proposed ballot initiatives in Massachusetts would legalize exploitative employment practices.
  6. sherwin13_CURTIS MEANSPOOLAFP via Getty Images_repubicans trump trial CURTIS MEANS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

    King Trump on Trial

    Richard K. Sherwin

    High-ranking Republican politicians have lately been turning up at Donald Trump’s New York City trial to demonstrate solidarity with the former president. But their attendance also serves a more alarming purpose: to validate Trump as a competing source of sovereign power, independent of the US Constitution and the rule of law.

    explains why a parade of Republican leaders have made appearances at the former president’s trial in New York.
  7. spence173_ Joe RaedleGetty Images_power Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    Crunch Time for the Power Sector

    Michael Spence argues that developing flexible, stable, and resilient smart grids requires an expanded industrial policy.
  8. op_janeway16_SAUL LOEBAFP via Getty Images_bidenchips Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    The Rise of Mesoeconomics

    William H. Janeway details how a long-neglected field of economic study can be applied to today's most pressing policy challenges.
  9. strain27_Philipp von Ditfurthpicture alliance via Getty Images_AIeducation Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance via Getty Images

    What the AI Pessimists Are Missing

    Michael R. Strain points out that the technology will help to address many of the risks it creates.

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