Marc Levinson

Marc Levinson is a distinguished author, journalist, and economic historian. His extensive body of work traverses the fields of history, economics, business, politics, and international relations. His books have been praised for their insights into the origins and impact of economic changes.

Levinson was born in 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He holds an AB from Harvard College and a PhD from Princeton University, both in history. He is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and has been Visiting Scholar in the Department of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley.

Levinson’s work focuses on economic events and the impact of economic changes on societies. His most recent book The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and The World Economy Bigger has been widely praised for its succinct and engaging narrative of the history of shipping containers. The book traces the evolution of the container from a private shipping business venture to its modern day ubiquity in the world's economy, exploring along the way economic effects of the container. Levinson demonstrates how the container changed the economic landscape, reducing the cost of trade, revolutionizing ideas about the efficient movement of goods, and playing a critical role in the development of global commerce.

Levinson has authored numerous books on the effects of economic change. The Great Ascent: The Struggle for Economic Development in Our Time (1993) is described as a comprehensive exploration of the reasons why some countries succeed in achieving economic development and others fail. In this comprehensive look at developing countries, Levinson looks not only at microeconomic conditions but also at underlying historical, cultural, and political contexts. He provides an examination of the efforts of countries to develop their economies, challenges posed by international money flows, and the successes and failures of development over the past several decades.

The Economy of Cities (2009) looks at the history of cities and their influence on economic growth. Levinson argues that cities have traditionally been the engines of economic growth and innovation, demonstrating the importance of urban agglomeration in the growth process. The book argues that cities are essential to the development of economies, providing the geographical and social space to facilitate unique forms of creativity and enterprise.

In Invisible Hands: The Making of the Modern World Economy (2016), Levinson takes a comprehensive look at the history of global economic development from the 18th century to the present. He examines the trajectory of economic development over time as countries have gone from decentralized economic systems to integrated global systems of production, sales, distribution, and investment. He assesses factors such as the role of science, technology, institutions, and global trade in the development of markets, currencies, investments, and corporations.

Levinson has also written extensively on the political economy of the Middle East, providing an interpretation of its history that has been hailed as innovative by scholars of the region. His works include The Embargo: The Story of Middle East Oil (1974) and The Modern Middle East: A Political History Since the First World War (2005).

In addition to his books, Levinson has written for numerous publications, including The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Times. He has also consulted for organizations including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and U.S. Department of State.

A respected scholar in the field of economic history, Marc Levinson continues to be a leading voice on the changing landscapes of global economics. His work has shed light on the critical role the container revolution has had on world economy, the fragile process of economic development, and the unique features of the modern Middle East economy. With a combination of exhaustive research, clarity of expression, and accessible storytelling, Levinson’s work continues to provide readers with thoughtful and meaningful insights into the economic realities of today.