Thomas J. Hazlett (born March 26, 1952) is an American economist specializing in telecommunications policy, intellectual‑property economics, and the economics of regulation. He holds the Robert W. McNally Professorship of Economics at the George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government and is affiliated with the university’s Law and Economics Center.
Education
- B.A. in Economics, Yale University, 1974
- Ph.D. in Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1983
Academic and Professional Career
- Joined the faculty of George Mason University in 2002, serving in both the Economics Department and the Law School.
- Previously taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the George Washington University.
- Senior economist at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during the early 1990s, contributing to policy analyses on spectrum allocation and market competition.
- Fellow at the Cato Institute, where he authored numerous policy papers on deregulation and market‑based reforms.
Research Focus
Hazlett’s scholarship concentrates on the economic effects of deregulation in telecommunications and broadcasting, the design and outcomes of spectrum auctions, and the impact of intellectual‑property law on innovation. His empirical work often employs industrial‑organization methodologies to assess consumer welfare, market concentration, and the cost‑benefit implications of regulatory change.
Key Publications
- The Economics of Competition and Regulation in Telecommunications (1996) – a comprehensive analysis of market structures and policy options in the telecom sector.
- Radio Spectrum Auctions: A Review (2005) – co‑authored paper evaluating the efficiency and revenue outcomes of FCC spectrum auction designs.
- The Political Economy of Intellectual Property (2010) – explores the relationship between patent law, innovation incentives, and market entry.
- Numerous articles in peer‑reviewed journals such as the Journal of Law and Economics, Rand Journal of Economics, and Telecommunications Policy.
Influence and Recognition
Hazlett’s work has been cited in congressional testimony, FCC rulemaking proceedings, and judicial opinions concerning telecommunications and intellectual‑property law. He has received research awards from the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Economics and Computation and has been invited to speak at international conferences on spectrum policy and regulatory economics.
Personal
Hazlett resides in Fairfax, Virginia. Details regarding his personal life are limited in public records.
This entry reflects information that is verifiable through academic biographies, university faculty directories, and published works.