Will Wilkinson
Research Fellow and Managing Editor, Cato Unbound
Will Wilkinson is a research fellow working on a wide range of issues from the moral dimensions of Social Security reform to the policy implications of the psychology of happiness. Prior to joining Cato, Wilkinson was the academic coordinator of the Social Change Project and the Global Prosperity Initiative for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where his work concentrated on the mechanisms of social change and the role of institutions in economic development. He has also served as a program director for the Institute for Humane Studies. Wilkinson's writing has appeared in The Economist, Reason, Policy, Prospect, Slate, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Australian Financial Review and other publications.
Media Contact: 202-789-5200
To Book a Speaking Engagement: 202-789-5226
E-Mail: wwilkinson@cato.org
Cato Studies
"In Pursuit of Happiness Research: Is It Reliable? What Does It Imply for Policy?," Policy Analysis no. 590, April 11, 2007.
"Noble Lies, Liberal Purposes, and Personal Retirement Accounts," Social Security Choice Paper no. 34, June 28, 2005.
Articles and Newsletters
"Out of Position: Against the politics of relative standing," Policy, Spring 2006.
"Capitalism and Human Nature," Cato Policy Report, Volume XXVII, no. 1, January/February 2005.
Opinion and Commentary
"Trade with China Gets the Gold," Marketplace, August 13, 2008
"Energy Plan Ads Just a Bunch of Wind?," Marketplace, July 31, 2008
"U.S. Should Import More Skilled Workers," Marketplace, July 16, 2008
"Government Only Helps Wage Disparity," Marketplace, July 2, 2008
"Give Credit the Credit It's Due," Marketplace, June 18, 2008
Events
"The Psychology of Evil: The Lucifer Effect in Action," June 12, 2008 [Book Forum]
"Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness," May 1, 2008 [Book Forum]
"Is the Welfare State Justified?," October 29, 2007 [Policy Forum]
"The Myth of the Rational Voter," July 17, 2007 [Book Forum]
"Liberation Biology: The Scientific and Moral Case for the Biotech Revolution," September 28, 2005 [Book Forum]
Multimedia
Will Wilkinson discusses the T. Boone Pickens energy plan on Marketplace radio (July 31, 2008) [MP3]
"Happy Danes are Here Again" featuring Will Wilkinson, February 22, 2008 [Flash Audio, 09:01]
"Defining Depression Down" featuring Will Wilkinson, November 30, 2007 [Flash Audio, 07:45]
"Income Inequality and Fairness" featuring Will Wilkinson, October 17, 2007 [Flash Audio, 08:07]
"Are You Happy Now?" featuring Will Wilkinson, April 20, 2007 [Flash Audio, 10:18]