David C. Rose

David C. Rose was a Senior Research Fellow at AIER, an Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a member of the US Commission on Civil Rights. He was formerly Senior Fellow and Vice President for Curriculum at the Common Sense Society. For 14 years he was president of The Discussion Club. He has a PhD in Economics from the University of Virginia and a BS in Economics from Missouri State University.

Dave has published empirical and theoretical scholarly articles in a wide range of areas and his research has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Weldon Spring Foundation, the HFL Foundation, the Earhart Foundation, and the Templeton Foundation. In recent years his work has increasingly focused on how moral beliefs provide the basis for the cultural foundation of free societies by supporting institutions like the rule of law, property rights, contracts and their enforcement, and the presumptive extension of trust. His book, The Moral Foundation of Economic Behavior, was selected one of CHOICE’s outstanding titles of 2012. His newest book, Why Culture Matters Most, is also from Oxford University Press. His most recent work provides an account of the coevolution of rationality, cooperation, property, and freedom.

Dave also frequently contributes to policy debates through podcast, radio, and television interviews, as well as in Op-Eds on topics ranging from social security, monetary policy, fiscal policy, judicial philosophy, the rule of law, education reform, healthcare reform, and freedom of speech.

Social Security at 90: A Brief History of America’s Sacred Cow 

Intended as a self-funding program for the truly desperate, Social Security's reckless expansion now threatens its ability to deliver for those most in need.

Social Security at 90: A Brief History of America’s Sacred Cow 

Foundations of Economics: It All Starts With Cooperation

It is by understanding the nature of cooperation that one can see how the evolution of all the other foundations of economics, and even the free market economy itself, was…

Foundations of Economics: It All Starts With Cooperation

Want to Fix Medicaid? Look to Milton Friedman

Friedman introduced the idea of using vouchers with respect to education 70 years ago. A voucher program would redirect government power to unleash market competition among healthcare insurers and among…

Want to Fix Medicaid? Look to Milton Friedman

Social Security is Not a Ponzi Scheme, but in One Way It’s Worse

Unlike unwary investors, future generations can't willingly opt into — or out of — the Social Security shakedown.

Social Security is Not a Ponzi Scheme, but in One Way It’s Worse

DOGE’s Waste Hunt Can’t Fix Social Security — But It’s Fixable

Uncovering waste and fraud is important, but it won't close the Social Security budget gap. Simple reforms could go much further.

DOGE’s Waste Hunt Can’t Fix Social Security — But It’s Fixable

What Milei Got Wrong About Market Failure—and Why It Matters

On January 23, Javier Milei delivered his latest speech on challenges to Western Civilization at the World Economic Forum in Davos. It was long, detailed, bold, and compelling. One part…

What Milei Got Wrong About Market Failure—and Why It Matters

What Milei Got Wrong About Market Failure—and Why It Matters

The theory of market failure is a powerful tool for understanding the appropriate limits of government.

What Milei Got Wrong About Market Failure—and Why It Matters

The Social Security Fairness Act Is a $200 Billion Handout to Government Employees

Lame-duck Senate will decide whether people with public sector pensions can double dip at the expense of everyone else.

The Social Security Fairness Act Is a $200 Billion Handout to Government Employees

How Government Feeds Spurious Support for Protectionism

Tariff increases might make good political sense, but they are bad economic policy.

How Government Feeds Spurious Support for Protectionism

How to Make Social Security Reform a Winning Campaign Issue

"Price indexing will remove about 80 percent of the unfunded liability gap over the next 75 years, if instituted in 2029." ~David Rose

How to Make Social Security Reform a Winning Campaign Issue