# Reviving Economic Growth: A Cato Online Forum In conjunction with the [conference on the future of U.S. economic growth](https://www.cato.org/events/future-us-economic-growth), the Cato Institute has organized a special online forum to explore possible avenues for pro-growth policy reforms. We have reached out to leading economists and policy experts and challenged them to answer the following question: *If you could wave a magic wand and make one or two policy or institutional changes to brighten the U.S. economy’s long-term growth prospects, what would you change and why?* Their answers can be found in the brief essays below. This forum serves as a brainstorming session, not a blueprint for policy change. We have assembled an eclectic group of contributors from across the ideological spectrum to give readers exposure to a broad range of views and stimulate creative thinking about reform alternatives. These essays should not be construed as representing the views of the Cato Institute; furthermore, we are confident that there is considerable disagreement among the contributors regarding the merits of the ideas presented here. But by casting the net broadly, we hope to encourage fresh thinking about the daunting challenges facing the U.S. economy — and, with luck, to uncover surprising areas of agreement across the usual ideological divisions. Experts: - [[![Media Name: audretsch.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/audretsch.jpg?itok=BdIhR_ns)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/audretsch.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/entrepreneurship-key-growth) [**David Audretsch** Indiana University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/entrepreneurship-key-growth) - [[![Media Name: auerswald.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/auerswald.jpg?itok=HuAWUECv)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/auerswald.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/home-healthcare-economics) [**Philip Auerswald** George Mason University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/home-healthcare-economics) - [[![Media Name: avent.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/avent.jpg?itok=JAWqdQJL)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/avent.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/how-land-use-restrictions-block-growth) [**Ryan Avent** *The Economist*](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/how-land-use-restrictions-block-growth) - [[![Media Name: baker.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/baker.jpg?itok=D9mMxmyg)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/baker.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/doctors-drugs-promoting-growth-equality-through-free-trade) [**Dean Baker** Center for Economic and Policy Research](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/doctors-drugs-promoting-growth-equality-through-free-trade) - [[![Media Name: boushey.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/boushey.jpg?itok=tWZDq1-8)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/boushey.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/grow-our-economy-start-paid-leave) [**Heather Boushey** Washington Center for Equitable Growth](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/grow-our-economy-start-paid-leave) - [[![Media Name: cowen.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/cowen.jpg?itok=fH88RnzL)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/cowen.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/primacy-foreign-policy) [**Tyler Cowen** George Mason University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/primacy-foreign-policy) - [[![Media Name: cutter.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/cutter.jpg?itok=UTPlw0at)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/cutter.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/steps-toward-good-economy) [**Bowman Cutter** Roosevelt Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/steps-toward-good-economy) - [[![Media Name: delong.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/delong.jpg?itok=J1ussDnm)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/delong.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/three-waves-magic-wand) [**Brad DeLong** U.C.-Berkeley](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/three-waves-magic-wand) - [[![Media Name: dourado.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/dourado.jpg?itok=moHtZvJN)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/dourado.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/incentive-pay-congress) [**Eli Dourado** Mercatus Center](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/incentive-pay-congress) - [[![Media Name: drutman.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/drutman.jpg?itok=TOm4asR7)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/drutman.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/invest-smarter-government) [**Lee Drutman** New America](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/invest-smarter-government) - [[![Media Name: dudley.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/dudley.jpg?itok=oS_Cu3Sl)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/dudley.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/reforming-regulation) [**Susan Dudley** George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/reforming-regulation) - [[![Media Name: florida.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/florida.jpg?itok=80Iwg9yd)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/florida.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/urban-agenda-economic-growth) [**Richard Florida** University of Toronto](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/urban-agenda-economic-growth) - [[![Media Name: gale.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/gale.jpg?itok=pEWnGOKL)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/gale.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/get-fiscal-house-order) [**William Gale** Brookings Institution](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/get-fiscal-house-order) - [[![Media Name: galston.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/galston.jpg?itok=W_-9YtM5)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/galston.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/toward-faster-more-inclusive-growth) [**William Galston** Brookings Institution](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/toward-faster-more-inclusive-growth) - [[![Media Name: glaeser.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/glaeser.jpg?itok=RPW1t5nH)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/glaeser.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/land-use-restrictions-other-barriers-growth) [**Edward Glaeser** Harvard University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/land-use-restrictions-other-barriers-growth) - [[![Media Name: gokhale.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/gokhale.jpg?itok=hi258Eqe)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/gokhale.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/specter-secular-stagnation-appropriate-policy-responses) [**Jagadeesh Gokhale** Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/specter-secular-stagnation-appropriate-policy-responses) - [[![Media Name: hanson.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/hanson.jpg?itok=zdqm1em7)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/hanson.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/decision-markets-meta-policy) [**Robin Hanson** George Mason University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/decision-markets-meta-policy) - [[![Media Name: holtz-eakin.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/holtz-eakin.jpg?itok=rYzXGoF2)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/holtz-eakin.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/structural-reforms-reduce-debt-restore-growth) [**Douglas Holtz-Eakin** American Action Forum](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/structural-reforms-reduce-debt-restore-growth) - [[![Media Name: howard.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/howard.jpg?itok=AdCO-7Sx)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/howard.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/radically-simplify-law) [**Philip K. Howard** Common Good](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/radically-simplify-law) - [[![Media Name: howitt.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/howitt.jpg?itok=jj0jbIbJ)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/howitt.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/growth-taxes) [**Peter Howitt** Brown University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/growth-taxes) - [[![Media Name: ikenson.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/ikenson.jpg?itok=TUbsGjBc)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/ikenson.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/more-better-foreign-direct-investment) [**Daniel J. Ikenson** Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/more-better-foreign-direct-investment) - [[![Media Name: kane.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/kane.jpg?itok=DsZNlEcP)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/kane.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/forgetting-how-grow) [**Tim Kane** Hoover Institution ](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/forgetting-how-grow) - [[![Media Name: kelly.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/kelly.jpg?itok=yquqL9Bc)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/kelly.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/preparing-students-world-work) [**Andrew Kelly** American Enterprise Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/preparing-students-world-work) - [[![Media Name: khanna.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/khanna.jpg?itok=zITQz-X6)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/khanna.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/unleashing-innovation) [**Derek Khanna** X‑Lab](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/unleashing-innovation) - [[![Media Name: kleiner.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/kleiner.jpg?itok=qGgB3Hr8)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/kleiner.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/our-guild-ridden-labor-market) [**Morris Kleiner** University of Minnesota](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/our-guild-ridden-labor-market) - [[![Media Name: kling.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/kling.jpg?itok=nob-7Izf)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/kling.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/sidestep-fcc-fda) [**Arnold Kling** Cato Institute, Mercatus Center](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/sidestep-fcc-fda) - [[![Media Name: litan.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/litan.jpg?itok=BrMFgEdc)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/litan.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/two-relatively-painless-ways-boost-growth) [**Robert Litan** Brookings Institution](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/two-relatively-painless-ways-boost-growth) - [[![Media Name: mandel.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/mandel.jpg?itok=me_9Wbz6)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/mandel.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/hacking-regulatory-state) [**Michael Mandel** Progressive Policy Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/hacking-regulatory-state) - [[![Media Name: manzi.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/manzi.jpg?itok=tz7EOk_k)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/manzi.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/high-skill-immigration-visionary-investments) [**Jim Manzi** Manhattan Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/high-skill-immigration-visionary-investments) - [[![Media Name: marron.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/marron.jpg?itok=U2qSZTyE)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/marron.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/bigger-cleaner-more-efficient-carbon-corporate-tax-swap) [**Donald Marron** Urban Institute, Tax Policy Center](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/bigger-cleaner-more-efficient-carbon-corporate-tax-swap) - [[![Media Name: mcardle.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/mcardle.jpg?itok=eCB2S3KI)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/mcardle.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/rolling-back-regulatory-complexity) [**Megan McArdle** *Bloomberg View*](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/rolling-back-regulatory-complexity) - [[![Media Name: miron.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/miron.jpg?itok=MOUUSrbs)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/miron.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/curtailing-subsidies-health-insurance) [**Jeffrey Miron** Harvard University, Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/curtailing-subsidies-health-insurance) - [[![Media Name: moretti.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/moretti.jpg?itok=3JbarW28)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/moretti.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/tax-cuts-innovators-are-good-economic-investment) [**Enrico Moretti** U.C.-Berkeley](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/tax-cuts-innovators-are-good-economic-investment) - [[![Media Name: nowrasteh.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/styles/resp__img__peoplelisting__ipad-portrat/public/authors/crops/nowrasteh.jpg?itok=mHVhUJsq)](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/resp__img__peoplelisting__ipad-portrat/public/authors/crops/nowrasteh.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/boost-highly-skilled-immigration) [**Alex Nowrasteh** Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/boost-highly-skilled-immigration) - [[![Media Name: peck.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/peck.jpg?itok=SA27C2Lk)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/peck.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/shoring-middle-class) [**Don Peck** *The Atlantic*](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/shoring-middle-class) - [[![Media Name: pethokoukis.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/pethokoukis.jpg?itok=LFwHS7m-)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/pethokoukis.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/fighting-crony-capitalist-alliance) [**James Pethokoukis** American Enterprise Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/fighting-crony-capitalist-alliance) - [[![Media Name: ponnuru.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/ponnuru.jpg?itok=Tg2cu0Zp)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/ponnuru.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/taxes-patents-money-three-proposals) [**Ramesh Ponnuru** *National Review*, American Enterprise Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/taxes-patents-money-three-proposals) - [[![Media Name: rauch.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/rauch.jpg?itok=r3z_0ux6)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/rauch.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/apprenticeships-lots-them) [**Jonathan Rauch** Brookings Institution](https://www.cato.org/publications/conference-paper/apprenticeships-lots-them) - [[![Media Name: salam.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/salam.jpg?itok=BumOeBgL)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/salam.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/end-corporate-debt-bias-expand-school-choice) [**Reihan Salam** *National Review*](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/end-corporate-debt-bias-expand-school-choice) - [[![Media Name: selgin.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/selgin.jpg?itok=CCjoN0CC)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/selgin.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/money-economic-growth-fed) [**George Selgin** Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/money-economic-growth-fed) - [[![Media Name: karl-smith.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/karl-smith.jpg?itok=8UeAWgw-)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/karl-smith.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/economic-growth-age-diminishing-labor) [**Karl Smith** Modeled Behavior](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/economic-growth-age-diminishing-labor) - [[![Media Name: stangler.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/stangler.jpg?itok=Ce_7faE-)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/stangler.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/two-ideas-boost-long-term-growth) [**Dane Stangler** Kauffman Foundation](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/two-ideas-boost-long-term-growth) - [[![Media Name: strain.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/strain.jpg?itok=7lQVpNBl)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/strain.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/getting-back-to-work) [**Michael Strain** American Enterprise Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/getting-back-to-work) - [[![Media Name: sumner.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/sumner.jpg?itok=RZ730t1e)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/sumner.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/more-bang-buck-surprisingly-cost-effective-way-boost-growth) [**Scott Sumner** Bentley University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/more-bang-buck-surprisingly-cost-effective-way-boost-growth) - [[![Media Name: teles.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/teles.jpg?itok=WgcLAMab)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/teles.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/restrain-regressive-rent-seeking) [**Steven Teles** Johns Hopkins University](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/restrain-regressive-rent-seeking) - [[![Media Name: thierer.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/thierer.jpg?itok=6IaHehzj)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/thierer.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/embracing-culture-permissionless-innovation) [**Adam Thierer** Mercatus Center](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/embracing-culture-permissionless-innovation) - [[![Media Name: toder.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/toder.jpg?itok=TEgrN45o)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/toder.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/reforming-taxation-corporate-income-improve-economic-performance) [**Eric Toder** Urban Institute, Tax Policy Center](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/reforming-taxation-corporate-income-improve-economic-performance) - [[![Media Name: vandoren.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/vandoren.jpg?itok=5_znZHh6)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/vandoren.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/no-easy-answers) [**Peter VanDoren** Cato Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/no-easy-answers) - [[![Media Name: viard.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/viard.jpg?itok=-zCXhf-g)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/viard.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/move-progressive-consumption-tax) [**Alan Viard** American Enterprise Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/move-progressive-consumption-tax) - [[![Media Name: wildavsky.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/wildavsky.jpg?itok=CxmLIQH1)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/wildavsky.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/raise-tuition-state-universities-boost-long-term-economic-growth) [**Ben Wildavsky** Rockefeller Institute of Government](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/raise-tuition-state-universities-boost-long-term-economic-growth) - [[![Media Name: winship.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/optimized/public/images/economic-growth-pics/winship.jpg?itok=30r9CyDB)](/sites/cato.org/files/images/economic-growth-pics/winship.jpg)](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/expand-opportunity-boost-growth) [**Scott Winship** Manhattan Institute](https://www.cato.org/publications/cato-online-forum/expand-opportunity-boost-growth)