America at 250: What Made the U.S. an Economic Power?

Economics Happy Hour Podcast · Jul 2, 2026 · 50m

America turns 250 this year, so we take a step back to ask how the United States became one of the world’s richest economies. We explored the institutions, policies, and cultural factors that fueled economic growth, from entrepreneurship and corporations to highways and property rights. Along the way, we debated which overlooked policies deserve more credit and which challenges could shape America’s future. Finally, we looked ahead to what America might look like by its 300th birthday.

In this episode, we talk about:

* Why the United States became one of the world’s economic powerhouses.

*…