Suzanne Berger

About

Suzanne Berger is a leading political scientist whose work bridges comparative politics, political economy, and the sociology of work. Her research centers on the political and institutional factors shaping economic transformation, particularly in advanced industrial democracies. Berger is renowned for her analysis of how national and local institutions—from labor unions to industrial policy—mediate the effects of globalization and technological change. Her most-cited work, *How We Compete* (2005), draws on a multi-year study of over 500 firms to challenge simplistic narratives about globalization, showing that success depends not on low wages but on innovation, skill formation, and social trust. More recently, her provocative paper “The Puzzle of the Missing Robots” (2022) debunks popular fears of mass automation by revealing that robots remain scarce in most American manufacturing plants, especially small and medium firms. This work has reshaped debates on the future of work and technology policy. A professor at MIT and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Berger’s scholarship has profoundly influenced how scholars and policymakers understand the complex interplay of politics, institutions, and economic change.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   The Puzzle of the Missing Robots

   3 citations · 2022

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