When Marian Tupy launched Human​Progress​.org in 2013, the idea that the world was getting better—not worse—was not much discussed in policy circles. At the time, only a handful of organizations were actively engaged in tracking and communicating advances in human progress. Today, that number has expanded to more than 100, with Human​Progress​.org standing at the heart of a powerful movement.

Tupy didn’t just launch a website—he helped catalyze a movement, one that shifts the narrative from fear and pessimism to optimism and hope for the future. Human​Progress​.org is the central player (and catalyst) of a dynamic ecosystem of scholars, communicators, and institutions that are not only tracking, but actively writing, thinking, networking, developing talent, and building a robust narrative around human flourishing.

In 2024, Human​Progress​.org reached nearly 1 million website visitors and gained 15,000 new followers, and its content was seen more than 25 million times across online and social platforms. When HP​.org editor Marian Tupy appeared on Stossel TV, Elon Musk shared the interview—leading to nearly 60 million views. Influential voices, such as Sen. Rand Paul (R‑KY), have publicly praised Human​Progress​.org, with Paul stating on the Honestly with Bari Weiss podcast, “There’s never been a better time to be alive.… I’m a big fan of Human​Progress​.org.”

But the impact goes beyond numbers. By providing a relentless counterweight to the apocalyptic narratives pushed by media and politicians, Human​Progress​.org is influencing the influencers. The project’s research and messaging have reached decisionmakers in Washington, tech visionaries, and public intellectuals who shape the broader discourse. Tupy and coauthor Gale Pooley’s eight-part lecture series, “The Economics of Human Flourishing,” now available at Peterson Academy, extends this influence even further by educating new generations on the link between human progress and economic freedom. Jordan Peterson, the academy’s founder, even highlighted this course during his interview on The Joe Rogan Experience, the most popular podcast on Spotify, putting it in front of millions of listeners.

The course is the latest product to stem from Tupy and Pooley’s Cato book, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet, which was recently translated into Spanish and Polish. The book continues to reach new audiences—the New York Times’ Peter Coy cited it as an inspiration in October 2024, demonstrating how a rigorously researched work can serve as a launching pad for ideas that shift public discourse and change the trajectory of society.

And this is just the beginning. With new investments from the Vision for Liberty campaign, Human​Progress​.org is set to scale its impact even further—expanding its reach, elevating its message, and ensuring that the case for optimism and the benefits of freedom is stronger than ever. Together, we are rewriting the narrative on human progress.

Cato’s Defending Globalization project exemplifies how a well-networked, strategically aligned effort can challenge rising economic nationalism and reshape the debate on trade. At the center of this effort is Scott Lincicome, whose leadership and influence have made him a key figure in countering both the nationalist- conservative and progressive economic agendas. Through his scholarship, congressional testimony, networking across party lines, and extensive media engagement, Lincicome has been leading the charge against industrial policy and protectionism, positioning Cato as the premier intellectual force for free trade and open markets.

This past year, Defending Globalization brought together Cato scholars, communicators, and creative teams—along with prominent outside experts—to challenge economic myths and highlight the real-world benefits of global trade. The project produced in-depth research, including a national survey by Cato’s Emily Ekins, which found that Americans support free trade in principle; however, their views are highly susceptible to partisan framing. The survey, still gaining media traction almost a year after its release, revealed that Republicans and Democrats tend to favor tariffs when proposed by their own party but oppose them when suggested by the other— or when tariffs’ inevitable trade-offs (higher prices, lost jobs, foreign retaliation) are considered. At the same time, only 10 percent of Americans want less trade with other countries—evidence that economic nationalism is more about political rhetoric and blinkered reporting than public demand.

To show the human impact of globalization, Cato’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies released a four-part Faces of Globalization docuseries that tracks how international trade and investment benefit real people here and abroad. One part of the docuseries, set in Guatemala, tells the real stories of several apparel workers and demonstrates the power of globalization to lift people worldwide out of abject poverty. This video in Guatemala was also accompanied by a new visual feature, Globalization, Unfolded, which tells the surprisingly complex story of how a simple “Made in Guatemala” shirt makes its way from design to doorstep, supporting many American jobs in the process. These efforts helped illustrate the hidden value and dynamism that trade fosters—and how protectionist policies harm it.

Scott Lincicome reinforced these arguments before Congress in June, testifying before the Joint Economic Committee on the failures of industrial policy. His testimony included a widely noted chart showing that significant manufacturing investments were already underway well before the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act—debunking the idea that government intervention was responsible for the resurgence. His arguments resonated across the political spectrum, with policymakers taking note of the unintended consequences of protectionist policies.

Even beyond Congress, Defending Globalization shaped the broader discourse. The summer issue of Free Society featured the cover story “Globalization Is About People, Not Governments,” which Sen. Rand Paul (R‑KY) shared with his 5.4 million followers on X, reinforcing the case that “the more capitalism is allowed to spread via trade, the more prosperity spreads.” The series’ essays have been used by allies on the left and the right and have been widely cited in the media and shared online.

The significance of this project goes beyond any single video, essay, or social media post. Defending Globalization has demonstrated Cato’s ability to mount a sophisticated, organization-wide effort—just as the Vision for Liberty campaign envisions. By aligning research, storytelling, and public engagement, Cato has strengthened its capacity to counter illiberal trends and shape national debates. This work isn’t just about globalization; it’s about proving that Cato can rally the intellectual and strategic firepower needed to win the biggest battles for economic freedom.

Cato scholars continue to be among the most-cited experts on immigration policy, affirming America’s history as a nation of and for immigrants. Alex Nowrasteh and David J. Bier, director of immigration studies, were featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today, and on Bloomberg, NPR, and other major media outlets.

Our immigration scholars testified six times before Congress in 2024. Bier testified before the House Oversight Committee and House Budget Committee, where he corrected erroneous estimates of immigrant crime and fiscal contributions. This hearing led the chair of the committee to request that the Congressional Budget Office study the fiscal effect of the recent surge in illegal immigration. That CBO study found very positive effects on the federal budget from the surge, confirming Bier’s testimony. His op-ed in the New York Times bolstered his arguments about solving the border crisis with expanded legal immigration pathways.

To beat the same drum, Nowrasteh explained to the House Homeland Security Committee why this is the best way to reduce border chaos. Before that, he testified before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations about expanding legal immigration to reduce illegal entry. Nowrasteh was cited in USA Today in March and in both the New York Times and the Washington Post in February, setting the record straight on immigration statistics. In September 2024 alone, Nowrasteh was cited five times by three representatives during debates and hearings: Rep. Jim McGovern (D‑MA), Rep. Analise Ortiz (D‑AZ), and Rep. Lou Correa (D‑CA).