Mercatus Center at George Mason University

06/02/2026

In his latest Economic Situation report, Mercatus scholar Bruce Yandle argues that uncertainty can be a significant obstacle to investment and long-term planning.

The report examines how businesses respond to uncertain economic conditions, alongside broader questions about federal debt, inflation, economic growth, and the changing role of government in the economy.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Yandle also reflects on how the nation's economic institutions have evolved and what that evolution may mean for future prosperity.

📖 Read the policy brief: https://bit.ly/4xkZW1V

Getting StartedIn just a few days, we will celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The nation’s longevity is probably more than the founders expected.

06/01/2026

Markets work best when people can trust each other. How do we figure out who is trustworthy?

In this clip from The Common Reader, Mercatus Research Fellow Henry Oliver and Affiliated Scholar Oliver Traldi discuss how Jane Austen, Adam Smith, and Hayek addressed this question, and if they actually answered it.

05/29/2026

Each year, the Mercatus Staff Unconference brings colleagues from across the organization to Arlington, VA for conversations that strengthen our work and mission.

This year’s American Road Trip theme brought together scholars, producers, operations teams, research fellows, interns, and colleagues from across the country for sessions on resilience, classical liberalism, AI, and the role our work plays in society.

More than a networking event, the Unconference creates space for the in-person conversations and intellectual exchange that sustain strong institutions and collaborative work.

Thanks to everyone who organized sessions, shared ideas, and made this year’s gathering such a success.

📷 Chris Williams, Zoeica Images

05/28/2026

Can federalism still preserve liberty in modern society?

At Humane Pursuits, Mercatus Research Fellow Garrett Brown interviews economist Richard E. Wagner to discuss the rise, and possible limits, of American federalism.

Wagner, a longtime George Mason University professor and author of the Mercatus-published American Federalism: How Well Does It Support Liberty?, explains how federalism differs from simple decentralization, why the Anti-Federalists feared centralized power, and how constitutional limits can gradually change over time without formal amendments.

Read the full conversation:

A conversation on constitutional design, the expansion of federal power, and the changing moral foundations of American governance

05/28/2026

More Americans are building flexible careers on their own terms.

But for many, that also means taking on more uncertainty without the safety nets tied to traditional jobs.

These are real workers talking about what this kind of work makes possible, and what can still feel uncertain.

In her new feature, Liya Palagashvili follows workers navigating that reality in their own words.

05/27/2026

We’re hiring a Marketing Manager at the Mercatus Center.

This role is a great fit for a mission-driven marketer who wants to amplify the reach of our scholars' work through email campaigns, event promotions, and social media — helping serious ideas reach the audiences who need them most. You'll collaborate with scholars, program teams, and designers, and have real ownership of projects from strategy through ex*****on.

Genuine interest in classical liberal and free-market ideas required.
Hybrid role based in Arlington, VA.

Interested? Apply through Talent Market: https://bit.ly/4dNFuh3

05/27/2026

“The only thing you can’t do is leave.”

On The Street Porter and the Philosopher, Christopher Scalia joins Henry Oliver to discuss a question raised in Henry Adams’s novel Democracy: what happens when thoughtful, principled people give up on public life?

Their conversation explores why democracy depends not only on institutions, but also on citizens willing to remain engaged even when politics becomes frustrating, cynical, or imperfect.

That tension between ideals and practical politics remains one of the central challenges of liberal democracy today.

05/26/2026

Do 68,000 Americans die each year because they lack health insurance?

That figure has circulated widely online and in public debate. But Mercatus Research Fellow Jack Salmon argues the evidence behind it is much less definitive than many headlines imply.

In a recent piece at The Unseen and The Unsaid, Salmon reviews the studies behind the figure and explains why observational surveys can struggle to separate correlation from causation. He also highlights larger studies and randomized trials that found much smaller, and sometimes statistically insignificant, effects on mortality.

The piece ultimately raises a broader question about how statistics are used in public debate. Salmon argues that numbers tied to public policy carry significant moral weight, which makes careful interpretation of evidence an essential part of the work.

📖 Read the full piece at The Unseen and The Unsaid:

Last week the figure “68,000” was being promoted online as the estimated number of excess deaths in the United States caused by not having health insurance.

05/25/2026

What’s shaping the ideas behind today’s policy conversations?

This Week at Mercatus brings together the latest research, commentary, and conversations shaping how we think about institutions, markets, and public policy.

Written by Ben Brophy, it’s a quick, bi-weekly way to stay connected to the ideas behind the work.

📬 Subscribe before this week’s edition goes out: https://bit.ly/4mkAPqx

05/21/2026

One of the best parts of working at Mercatus is getting to learn directly from scholars like Peter Boettke.

Our all-staff lecture series gives everyone the chance to step back from day-to-day work and engage with big ideas together. Pete’s sessions are always a standout.

In a recent lecture, he explored how institutions shape economic outcomes. In simple terms, institutions are the rules of the game, including laws, norms, and how they are enforced.

He showed how these ideas help explain everything from economic reform to disaster recovery and why some systems are more resilient than others.

It’s a great example of how Mercatus brings research to life through shared learning and discussion.