Economist Mariana Mazzucato promotes new book on the common good in Spain

Economist Mariana Mazzucato is promoting her new book, ‘Bien común: Una nueva economía que funcione para todos’ (Taurus), during a visit to Spain. Mazzucato, a professor at University College London, advocates for a more active role for the state in regulating and organizing economic activity beyond merely correcting market failures.

Addressing housing inequality, Mazzucato argues that housing has been treated as a tradable asset rather than a human right, leading to excessive profits and debt. She emphasizes the need for increased housing supply and better construction methods.

Regarding the knowledge economy, Mazzucato warns that society is ‘privatizing knowledge’ due to overly rigid intellectual property rights. She argues that for a system to function, it must include co-creation, participation, and the sharing of knowledge and benefits to achieve the common good.