[![Chelsea Follett](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/bio_picture_mobile/public/2021-01/Chelsea%20Follett.jpg?itok=eaQOLmbf)](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2021-01/Chelsea-German.jpg) 

[Policy Scholars](/experts) 

# Chelsea Follett 

Research Fellow 

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Chelsea Follett is a research fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty & Prosperity, working with [Human​Progress​.org](https://humanprogress.org/). She is the author of the books [*The Grim Old Days: An Introduction to the Preindustrial Past*](https://www.amazon.com/Grim-Old-Days-Introduction-Preindustrial/dp/1969284129) (2026) and [*Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1952223652) (2023).

Her writing has been published in the *Wall Street Journal*, the *Washington Post*, *USA Today*, *U.S. News & World Report*, *Newsweek*, *Forbes*, *The Hill*, *Business Insider*, *National Review, the* *Washington Examiner*, and *Global Policy Journal*. She was named to *Forbes*’ 30 under 30 list for 2018 in the category of Law and Policy.

Follett earned a BA in government and English from the College of William & Mary, as well as an MA in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, where she focused on international relations and political theory. She is also a visiting fellow at Independent Women.

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![Centers of Progress cover](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2023-07/center-of-progress-cover-long.jpeg?itok=Ik37CjY8) 

##### Featured Book 

### *[Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World](https://www.amazon.com/Centers-Progress-Cities-Changed-World/dp/1952223652/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11YAUYGPAU2BI&tag=catoinstitute-20)*

In *Centers of Progress: 40 Cities that Changed the World*, Chelsea Follett examines a diverse group of cities, ranging from ancient Athens to Song-era Hangzhou. But some common themes stand out: most cities reach their creative peak during periods of peace; most centers of progress also thrive during times of social, intellectual, and economic freedom, as well as openness to intercultural exchange and trade; and centers of progress tend to be highly populated. Because, in every city, it is ultimately the people who live there who drive progress forward―if given the freedom to do so.

[Purchase Book](https://www.amazon.com/Centers-Progress-Cities-Changed-World/dp/1952223652/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11YAUYGPAU2BI&tag=catoinstitute-20) 

![The Grim Old Days](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2026-07/the-grim-old-days-cover.jpg?itok=5MYjHv_1) 

##### Featured Book 

### *[The Grim Old Days: An Introduction to the Preindustrial Past](https://www.amazon.com/Grim-Old-Days-Introduction-Preindustrial/dp/1969284129?tag=catoinstitute-20)*

Trying to imagine the preindustrial past might conjure the image of an idyllic country village with pristine air and residents merrily dancing around maypoles. The healthy, peaceful, and prosperous people in this fantasy of pastoral bliss do not realize that their contented, leisurely lives will soon be disrupted by the story’s villain: the dark smokestacks of the Industrial Revolution, what the poet William Blake called “satanic mills.” Yet such rose-colored views of history bear no resemblance to reality.

[Purchase Book](https://www.amazon.com/Grim-Old-Days-Introduction-Preindustrial/dp/1969284129?tag=catoinstitute-20)