Economic Dynamism – Why Some States Are Winning the Future

As America grapples with economic uncertainty and questions about the proper role of government in fostering prosperity, attention has increasingly turned to the laboratories of democracy: our individual states. While federal policy debates often dominate headlines, states have emerged as crucial testing grounds for economic innovation, regulatory reform, and governance approaches that directly impact citizens' daily lives. Some states have pursued aggressive pro-business policies and deregulation, while others have expanded government services and oversight—creating natural experiments in competing visions of economic development.

In this year's Lovett C. Peters Lecture, economist and author Tyler Cowen will examine how state-level policy choices shape economic dynamism, influence human flourishing, and ultimately determine whether American communities thrive or stagnate in an increasingly competitive global economy.

Dr. Tyler Cowen is the Holbert L. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University and chairman and faculty director of the Mercatus Center. He has made economics accessible to millions through his influential blog Marginal Revolution, acclaimed podcast Conversations with Tyler (featuring guests from Malcolm Gladwell to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), and several bestselling books, including his latest AI-enhanced work GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of All Time?

Beyond his academic roles, Cowen is a serial entrepreneur in the world of ideas. He created Emergent Ventures to fund social innovators and launched Fast Grants during the pandemic, which rapidly deployed over $50 million to COVID-19 researchers. A Harvard PhD who writes for major publications, Cowen bridges the gap between rigorous economic thinking and public understanding, making complex ideas both accessible and actionable.

To inquire about sponsorships please contact Caitlin Marple at cmarple@pioneerinstitute.org