The Archbridge Institute conducts multidisciplinary academic and policy research on artificial and natural barriers to social mobility and human flourishing, seeking to drive a consensus on these factors in the academic and policy community.
Increasing opportunities for social mobility and human flourishing is the defining challenge of our time. Through rigorous academic research, sound public policy solutions, and reviving the spirit of entrepreneurship, the Archbridge Institute works to empower individuals to achieve better, richer, and fuller lives by identifying and removing the barriers that constrain their potential.
Our Latest Research
Commentary
Read our latest commentary on human flourishing and social mobility.
Has human ingenuity prevailed in the fight against COVID-19?
Back in March, as the COVID-19 pandemic was picking up steam in the United States, I highlighted the role that human ingenuity would play in fighting the pandemic. I suggested that we should trust the private sector and its millions of innovators. Eventually, I argued, human agency would prevail.
Race, Economic Mobility, and the American Dream — An Interview with Dr. Glenn Loury
Archbridge Institute President and CEO Gonzalo Schwarz recently spoke with Dr. Glenn Loury about inequality, racial disparities, the American Dream, and more.
Liberate the Other Half: Empowering the “Back Row” of America
The recent protests spurred by the killing of George Floyd have renewed efforts to understand and improve the conditions faced by residents of our nation’s poorer communities, particularly when it comes to interactions with law enforcement.
Prioritize licensing reform for health and economic recovery
For months, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended daily life and inflicted enormous human and economic costs. However, amid this unprecedented challenge, there have been a few bright spots worth highlighting, from neighbors volunteering to help one another to local organizations stepping up to meet the needs of their community.
American Originals
American Originals traces the stories of those who charted their own paths, overcame barriers and achieved a better life for themselves and those around them by embracing personal responsibility, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Milton Hershey: Chocolate King, Confectioner, and Creator
Born in rural Pennsylvania in 1857, Milton Hershey attended seven different schools and never made it beyond the fourth grade. At fifteen, he found his passion in...
Workingman’s Friend, Industry Disruptor: The Walter Chrysler Story
The year 1921 was one of the worst years in the history of the American automobile business. Many companies folded in a brief but severe post-war recession...
Overcoming Barriers through Purpose and Entrepreneurship: Lessons from 21 Amazing American Originals
Over the last two-and-one-half years, we at the Archbridge Institute, in conjunction with the American Business History Center, have written and published twenty-one biographical articles on “American Originals.” These...
The Ultimate Rags to Riches Story: Mary Pickford
On February 11, 1898, John Charles Smith of Toronto hit
his head and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The Irishman left behind his wife,
Charlotte; five-year-old daughter, Gladys; another...
Proud Father of the Modern Airline System: CR Smith and American Airlines
Few industries have had a greater impact on the world than
our airline system. This global network was built over a period of forty years
by a handful of...