Overview

Jean-Pierre Lehmann (29 August 1945 – 21 December 2017) was an American-born Swiss economist best known for his work on international political economy, global trade and the governance of globalization. Born in Washington, D.C., he spent much of his professional life in Switzerland where he taught, organized dialogues among business and political leaders, and promoted policy research on open and inclusive global markets.

Academic and institutional roles

Lehmann was a professor of international political economy at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, where he combined teaching with applied research. He was the founding director of The Evian Group at IMD, an initiative that convened corporate, government and academic participants to discuss trade liberalization, economic cooperation and the reform of global institutions. In August 2011 he was appointed a senior fellow at the Fung Global Institute (FGI), reflecting his long-standing engagement with Asia and the changing patterns of global economic power.

Research interests and approach

Lehmann’s work focused on the political economy of globalization: how trade, investment and institutional arrangements shape development and international relations. He emphasized dialogue between the private sector, policymakers and scholars, arguing that constructive engagement could help reconcile economic efficiency with social and political legitimacy. His publications included books, articles and opinion pieces aimed at both academic and policy audiences.

Practical impact and legacy

Through The Evian Group and his teaching at IMD, Lehmann played a notable role in fostering discussion on global governance, especially at moments when rising emerging economies were reshaping world trade patterns. Colleagues and participants remember him for combining rigorous analysis with a practitioner’s sensibility and for mentoring younger scholars and leaders involved in international economic affairs.

Themes and notable facts

  • Focus on trade liberalization and inclusive globalization.
  • Bridging academia, business and policy through conferences and networks.
  • Longstanding interest in Asia’s role in the global economy and in reforming global institutions.

Jean-Pierre Lehmann died on 21 December 2017 in Lausanne, Switzerland, from a pulmonary embolism. His contributions are remembered in discussions about how to make globalization more accountable and beneficial to a broader range of societies.