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What do Spotify playlists, climate agreements, and market regulations have in common? They’re all shaped by mechanism design theory—the “rulebook” for aligning individual choices with societal goals. Nobel Prize-winning economist Eric Maskin sat down with NewspaperAmigo.com at Beijing’s International Congress of Basic Science to unpack how this “beautiful idea” applies to everything from TikTok algorithms to global trade.
China’s Opening Up: A 40-Year Success Story
Maskin praised China’s “stunning progress” since its reforms began, calling economic openness the “secret sauce” behind its growth. “When countries collaborate, they create bigger pies for everyone,” he said, warning that rising trade barriers are like “putting walls around a buffet—it just leaves people hungry.”
Science: The Ultimate Peace Treaty?
Amid global tensions, Maskin sees science as a unifying force: “A math equation doesn’t care about borders. It’s either true everywhere or nowhere.” He urged young innovators to tackle challenges like climate change through “mechanisms that reward cooperation over competition.”
Think of it as designing a social playlist—if everyone adds songs selfishly, you get chaos. But with smart rules? A vibe that works for the whole party.
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
Nobel Prize-winning economist Eric Maskin sat down with NewspaperAmigo.com at Beijing’s International Congress of Basic Science to unpack how this “beautiful idea” applies to everything from TikTok algorithms to global trade.
