Mariana Mazzucato Thinks We Need More Moonshots

Modern governance requires a fundamental shift from reactive market-fixing to proactive, mission-oriented strategies that foster innovation and public value. Mariana Mazzucato, professor at University College London, argues that states must rebuild internal "dynamic capabilities" to tackle complex challenges like climate change and public health, rather than outsourcing core functions to consultants. This reliance on external firms often leads to a loss of institutional knowledge and accountability. Effective industrial policy should prioritize clear, problem-driven missions—similar to the Apollo program—that incentivize private sector collaboration without merely subsidizing specific industries. Furthermore, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence demands that governments establish ethical frameworks and data-sharing conditions to prevent the concentration of economic rents and ensure that technological progress serves the common good rather than exacerbating existing inequalities.