Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom

09/01/2026

"You may not care about economic freedom for its own sake. You might even dislike the free-market mentality. But I can guarantee you care about something related to it."

That's what Meg Tuszynski, Managing Director of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom, tells her students — and it's the idea behind her new Substack, Economic Freedom Explained.

The research on economic freedom is vast, empirical, and often surprising. It speaks to economic growth, tolerance, happiness, the environment, families, and much more. But too much of it stays locked in academic journals, buried in jargon and hidden behind paywalls.

The newsletter aims to change that — translating rigorous research into something readable, without watering it down.

Whatever you care about, the odds are good that economic freedom has something to say about it.

New posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe here:

Making economic freedom understandable—by translating complex research and ideas into clear, readable explanations of what it is, how it works, and why it matters. Click to read Economic Freedom, Explained, by Meg Tuszynski, a Substack publication. Launched 25 minutes ago.

08/27/2026

👏 Congratulations to Dean Stansel and Matt Myers!

Bridwell Institute Research Associate Professor Dean Stansel and Executive Director Matt Myers were recognized as Cox School 2025–2026 Media Experts for their contributions to media coverage over the past year.

The Media Expert of the Year awards recognize Cox faculty and staff whose media engagement helps share their academic and professional expertise with broader audiences while highlighting the School's academic excellence.

We're proud to see Dean and Matt recognized for bringing Bridwell Institute research and perspectives on economic freedom, free enterprise, and public policy to the public conversation.

08/20/2026

Our Rick Alm and Dean Stansel’s new article in D-CEO Magazine discusses why chaotic trade policy in DC threatens the future of the Texas economy.

08/04/2026

Our Rick Alm and Dean Stansel’s new article in D-CEO Magazine discusses why chaotic trade policy in DC threatens the future of the Texas economy. “Even as it continues to post strong export and import numbers, the state’s long-term success still depends on open markets and global competition.”

Even as it continues to post strong export and import numbers, the state’s long-term success still depends on open markets and global competition.

07/24/2026

Bob Lawson and Meg Tuszynski have a new op-ed out today, which is based on their recently-published systematic review.

According to the authors, "In a world that increasingly seeks a balance between equality and economic growth, the evidence suggests a lopsided trade-off: a small, uncertain rise in inequality against an estimated $22,000 more in real GDP per person. Whether that exchange is worth making is a value judgment, but we suspect most people would take the deal."

It is time to shift the narrative and recognize that economic freedom, far from being the enemy of a fair society, is a reliable engine of prosperity that makes one possible.

07/21/2026

📰 New Op-Ed

Bridwell Institute Research Assistant Professor Meg Tuszynski and Matt Mitchell (Fraser Institute) comment on why states are better prepared for economic uncertainty when they embrace economic freedom.

As states face challenges ranging from trade uncertainty and inflation to AI-driven disruption, they argue that the best defense isn't more government intervention, but creating an environment where workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses can adapt quickly.

Drawing on the Fraser Institute's Economic Freedom of North America report, they show how policies that promote economic freedom can help states recover more quickly from economic shocks.

The big forces bearing down on state economies in 2026 — trade uncertainty, stubborn inflation, swelling national debt, rippling AI disruptions — mostly emanate from Washington and boardrooms, not state […]

07/21/2026

Economic uncertainty is inevitable—but states can do a lot to make themselves more resilient. In a new op-ed with the Fraser Institute's Matt Mitchell, Meg Tuszynski looks at why economic freedom may be the best insurance policy.

The big forces bearing down on state economies in 2026 — trade uncertainty, stubborn inflation, swelling national debt, rippling AI disruptions — mostly emanate from Washington and boardrooms, not state […]

07/09/2026

🚨 New Research Publication

Bridwell Institute Director Robert Lawson and Managing Director Meg Tuszynski, together with Vincent Miozzi, have published a new article in the Eastern Economic Journal:

"Economic Freedom & Inequality: A Systematic Review of the Evidence"

Drawing on 308 estimates from 19 published studies, the authors examine one of the most debated questions in economics: How does economic freedom relate to income inequality?

Their review finds that stronger property rights and the rule of law are consistently associated with greater equality, while the overall relationship between economic freedom and inequality is modest. The paper highlights the importance of looking beyond broad measures to understand how specific institutions shape economic outcomes.

This study reviews econometric evidence from 19 published articles reporting 308 estimates on the relationship between income inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, and economic freedom, measured by the Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index and its components. The literature suggests that...

07/09/2026

📢 We are pleased to announce that Matt Myers has been appointed Executive Director of the Bridwell Institute.

As the Institute continues to grow, this new leadership role will help expand our impact through research, student engagement, public programming, and thought leadership on capitalism and economic freedom.

Matt joins this new position after returning from IE Business School in Madrid and brings a bold vision for the Institute's next chapter. Robert Lawson will continue serving as Director, and together they will lead the Institute as it builds on a decade of growth and looks toward an exciting future.

The Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom hosts events and conducts research for SMU Cox.

07/02/2026

Bridwell Institute director Robert Lawson will be doing a Substack Live event with Bryan Caplan today at 4:30ET about N**i Germany, socialism, and economic freedom.

Caplan and Candor