Dr. Fred Block is Research Professor of Sociology at UC Davis with research interests in economic and political sociology. His current work focuses on what he terms “hidden” industrial policy - activities of the U.S. government in support of the commercialization of new technologies, despite the prevailing belief that technological and industrial advances are best left to market forces. He has authored numerous books and articles, including ”Swimming Against the Current: The Rise of a Hidden Developmental State in the United States",and “Rethinking ‘Capitalism."