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Pursuit of Happiness

We explore how citizens, neighbors, workers, families, and communities shape the future of American society.

The Civis in Civic Architecture

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Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 17, 2025
The Return of the Natural Law

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Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 14, 2025
‘American Oasis’ Review: The Lure of the Desert

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Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 9, 2025
Faith, Reason, & Liberation

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Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 7, 2025
California’s Population Bump Won’t Make Up for Its Long Term Slide

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Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 1, 2025
The Land of Fear and Awe

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Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 27, 2025
The Mind in a Mustard Seed

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Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 25, 2025
Latest

‘American Oasis’ Review: The Lure of the Desert

The Southwest has recently sent left-leaning senators to Washington. As more minorities move there, the region might shift to the right.

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 9, 2025

California’s Population Bump Won’t Make Up for Its Long Term Slide

People are leaving, or not coming to California, for rational reasons — and most of them are economic.

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 1, 2025

How Federal Lands Can Be Used to Ease the Housing Crisis

To create affordable homes on federal lands, the federal government shouldn’t sell lands for development — it should lease them.

Joel Kotkin, Michael Toth
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 10, 2025

In Southern L.A., These Cities Are Making a Comeback

The key is governance and a strong local focus.

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 6, 2025

Jewish Geography

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 4, 2025

Tech Bros Have Stolen Austin’s Soul

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 28, 2025

The Crisis of Friendship

David Futscher Pereira
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 21, 2025

California’s Housing Problems Require a Better Solution than Densify, Densify, Densify

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 18, 2025

Why Jews Are Fleeing the West

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 12, 2025

Estimating the Productivity of Community Colleges in Paving the Road To Four-Year College Success

Scott Carrell, Michal Kurlaender
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 7, 2025
Research
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Estimating the Productivity of Community Colleges in Paving the Road To Four-Year College Success

Scott Carrell, Michal Kurlaender
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 7, 2025

Brains Versus Brawn: Ordinal Rank Effects in Job Training

Scott Carrell, Alexander J. Chesney
Pursuit of Happiness
Jan 28, 2025

Civic Thought: A Proposal for University-Level Civic Education

Benjamin Storey, Jenna Storey
Pursuit of Happiness
Dec 11, 2023
Commentary
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‘American Oasis’ Review: The Lure of the Desert

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 9, 2025

California’s Population Bump Won’t Make Up for Its Long Term Slide

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 1, 2025

How Federal Lands Can Be Used to Ease the Housing Crisis

Joel Kotkin, Michael Toth
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 10, 2025

In Southern L.A., These Cities Are Making a Comeback

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 6, 2025

Jewish Geography

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 4, 2025

Tech Bros Have Stolen Austin’s Soul

Joel Kotkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 28, 2025
Videos
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Populism Unpacked: Voices from the Heartland

Populism Unpacked: Voices from the Heartland

Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 4, 2025
40:16
Recent
Jeff Rosen on What “The Pursuit of Happiness” Meant to America's Founders

Jeff Rosen on What “The Pursuit of Happiness” Meant to America's Founders

Pursuit of Happiness
Jan 26, 2025
1:03:18
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Arthur C. Brooks on the Pursuit of Happiness in an Unhappy World

Arthur C. Brooks on the Pursuit of Happiness in an Unhappy World

Pursuit of Happiness
May 8, 2024
1:23:22
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Arthur C. Brooks on The Art & Science of Getting Happier: Live at The Texas Tribune

Arthur C. Brooks on The Art & Science of Getting Happier: Live at The Texas Tribune

Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 29, 2024
1:06:07
Recent
Melissa Kearney on Two-Parent Privilege and Social Mobility

Melissa Kearney on Two-Parent Privilege and Social Mobility

Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 18, 2024
1:19:06
Recent
Podcasts
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