Building Toward Better Policymaking, Together

Many of you know the R Street Institute for our policy teams’ research and recommendations on issues that inform your work. I’m so glad that our scholars’ expertise delivers that value to you. There’s more to us, though. 

The R Street Institute is a think tank advancing a clear vision, aligned with this country’s founding principles. We believe–and our evidence shows–that free markets and limited, effective government are the best mechanisms to deliver that experience for all Americans. Researching and advancing concordant public policy is one way we promote adoption of this approach. Another is by seeking to shape the policymaking environment toward this end. 

At the R Street Institute, we believe in “real solutions”. That necessitates first acknowledging that there is a problem to be solved. Right now, this is something we need to recognize about the current policymaking environment. Fidelity to people over ideas has caused civilized debate towards bipartisan solutions to all but disappear, at least from the public view. That public view matters, particularly in a context of years of declining institutional trust. Simultaneously, the core tenets of our liberal democracy are being challenged. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Here at the R Street Institute, we do things differently. We actively seek diverse perspectives because we believe that healthy conflict helps generate the best ideas. We make decisions grounded in evidence, and build truth-seeking and trust-building into everything we do. We collaborate broadly, focusing on moving forward the things we can agree on. We maintain our credibility, adhering to our values even and especially when it’s hard. 

These are practices that also support effective self-governance, which is what we have been working toward since the R Street Institute’s inception. However, the shifts in the policymaking environment demonstrate that more is needed of us, and we intend to deliver. This commitment does not change who we are or what we do. It means the R Street Institute will be leaning into its mission, vision, and values even more strongly. While we will continue to address complicated policy challenges, you will also hear more from us on how the nation can move toward better self-governance and a liberal democracy that delivers for everyone now and into the future. 

We’re not doing this alone, though. This work needs partnership across the ideological spectrum. This is why our leadership in this effort is so valuable: bridging divides is where we excel. Our 2027 Real Solutions Summit will be a key inflection point in our efforts, and I encourage you to register your interest here. This event will facilitate broad collaboration between people who bring different perspectives to effectively advance evidence-based ideas that are grounded in shared principles. This is how we build towards better public policy, a more limited and effective government, and a stronger liberal democracy. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with you in this work.

Rebecca Kendall, Vice President, Strategy

In case you missed it:

“Laughing Matters: Comedy, Policy, and the Future of Free Speech”, Spence Purnell, Resident Senior Fellow, Technology and Innovation (an event with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and stand-up comic Andrew Heaton)

“Election Policy 50-State Scorecard,” Chris McIsaac, Resident Fellow, Governance

“America’s 250th Birthday,” R Street’s America 250 Conversations series

“How Occupational Licensing Requirements Affect Access to Middle-Skills Pathways,” Courtney Joslin, Senior Manager and Resident Fellow, Healthier Communities and Stacey McKenna, Associate Director and Resident Senior Fellow, Healthier Communities