What are the right ingredients for creating the best chance of upward mobility for the most people? Policy experts and elected officials trying to reduce poverty have asked versions of this question for decades. There’s a strong argument to be made that Utah has the answer.

A new report from the Archbridge Institute ranks social mobility in all 50 states, with Utah taking the top spot as the best state in the nation for opportunity. Nic Dunn sits down with the authors of this new study to discuss their findings. Gonzalo Schwarz is the president and CEO of the Archbridge Institute. Justin Callais is a research fellow with Archbridge, and he teaches economics and finance at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

They outline why Utah does so well in social mobility metrics, where the state can still improve, and what other states could learn.

Show notes: 

• • Social Mobility in the 50 States – Archbridge Institute 
  • The Archbridge Institute is an independent nonpartisan public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. 
  • Guest opinion: Utah tops social mobility rankings: What others can learn, what can be improved – Archbridge Institute 

Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.