About
The mission of the Resilient World Systems program at Open Markets is to develop and advocate for policies that ensure the security, independence, and prosperity of the people of the United States and of all peoples around the world. It is based on the belief that the stability of the world’s industrial, financial, communications, and political systems requires careful coordinated management by national governments.
Over the last generation, the United States and its allies allowed super-large corporations and mercantilist nations to concentrate power and control within these systems in ways that have created many grave economic and political dangers. One result is that many of these systems are now subject to cascading and potentially catastrophic crashes and severe shortages even of vital goods such as foods and medical supplies. A second result is a breakdown of international cooperation and a growing number of cross-border industrial conflicts. Other results include the manipulation of vital news and information, the disruption of democratic debate, and the choking off of climate-friendly technological innovations.
Open Markets is recognized around the world as a pioneer in the study and design of resilient and open international systems. Over the years, our work has deeply shaped thinking among officials in the United States, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as in the IMF and World Bank. Our new partnership with the OECD resulted in the important transatlantic conference Shock Proof to discuss the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publications
Transportation policy analyst Arnav Rao writes on how ocean freight carriers are exploiting their monopolistic control to hike prices and boost profits, harming U.S. importers, exporters, and small businesses, necessitating stronger regulatory oversight to restore fair pricing.
In this issue, we look at one of the first challenges the Trump Administration will face — as ocean freight carriers exploit their monopoly to drive freight rates to unprecedented levels. We also look at the DOJ’s plan to break up Google. In this issue,
Phillip Longman reveals in a new article published in The Washington Monthly, that the goal of revitalizing American manufacturing is deeply threatened by financiers who are radically downsizing the nation’s freight rail system in pursuit of short-term profit.
In this issue, we explore how hedge funds degrade freight railroads by stripping operators of valuable assets and skilled workers.
In this issue, we discuss the need to protect the child care industry from private equity powers looking for quick profit, particularly with an increase in public subsidies to support the critical sector.
On Monday, June 24 from 9:30 AM – 4 PM ET, Open Markets Institute, the National Women’s Law Center, and Community Change will host an event and release a new report that examines the role of private equity in plundering the nation’s child care industry and outlines a policy strategy to increase the supply of child care as a public good.
CJL director Dr. Courtney Radsch participated in a media innovation conference in Rio de Janeiro hosted by the Associação de Jornalismo Digital - Ajor
Open Markets’ Europe director Max Von Thun appeared on a panel, “AI and the Monopoly Threat,” at the annual conference of private and data protection organization CPDP, held in Brussels.
On May 22nd-24th, 2024 the International Press Institute hosted their three day “World Congress” Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in which CJL director Dr. Courtney Radsch spoke on a panel about the geopolitics of AI and journalism.
Open Markets industrial policy program manager Audrey Stienon released a statement on the Biden Administration’s new tariffs to grow and protect U.S. green energy supply chains and manufacturing.