On June 10, The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) hosted the annual Lev Dobriansky Lecture on Political Economy in memory of professor Lev Dobriansky. This year’s keynote speaker was Marian L. Tupy, senior fellow at Cato Institute’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.

TFAS President Roger Ream, ’76, reflected on the legacy of professor Lev Dobriansky and the foundational role he played in establishing TFAS’s academic programs as its first academic director. A leading scholar on communism and a passionate defender of liberty, Dobriansky helped establish the annual Captive Nations Week proclamation, leaving an enduring mark on the fight for freedom.

Ream introduced Marian L. Tupy, highlighting his influential work on population growth and resource abundance.

“Tupy and his colleagues at HumanProgress.org have analyzed long-term trendlines, offering insights of, tremendous importance to policymakers and to all Americans,” said Ream.

As part of this distinguished lecture series, Tupy follows in the footsteps of esteemed speakers, such as Dr. Veronique de Rugy, Dr. Rachel Ferguson, Dr. Steve Hanke, Dr. James Otteson and more.

Population Growth and Innovation

Tupy delivered a compelling lecture on the core themes of his co-authored book, “Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet.” He offered students a hopeful, data-driven view of humanity’s future. Challenging common fears about overpopulation and resource scarcity, he argued that population growth, coupled with human freedom and innovation, leads to greater prosperity and resource abundance.

At the core of the lecture were three key concepts:

1. Time Prices – The concept of time prices, which measures how much time a person must work to afford various goods and services. Over the past century, time prices have dramatically declined, meaning that goods and services have become significantly more affordable.
2. Superabundance – Tupy explained the idea of superabundance, where resources become more abundant at a rate faster than population growth.
3. Innovation and Freedom – Innovation thrives in societies that are open, free and governed by market principles. A growing population in a free society is a powerful engine of innovation and prosperity.

Tupy’s remarks sparked a vivid discussion among the students, who eagerly lined up to engage him on thought-provoking questions on the future of freedom, human progress and prosperity.

Watch the full lecture below: