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America was founded on a powerful set of ideals: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what do those words look like in practice 250 years later? This 4th of July 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence. In our new episode, we explore a big question: how well is the United States living up to the promise at the heart of its identity? It’s a conversation that goes beyond politics and gets into the more profound social forces shaping everyday life.
We look at what happens when a country measures its success not just by economic strength, but by how people actually experience safety, opportunity, health, and freedom. That perspective reveals a story that’s more complicated than the celebrations suggest.
The Social Progress Index demonstrates that:
Using the Social Progress Index, Michael Green, CEO and host of the Beyond GDP podcast, shares new insights on how America has progressed since 1990 to today. For instance, the US ranks 99th for safety and 45th for health outcomes, despite spending more on healthcare than any other country. So, what does all this mean?
Shockingly, no other country has shown the same trajectory as the United States. Whether you are an American or listening from across the world, this episode offers a look at how national ideals and social well-being shape a country’s future, and why those questions matter everywhere.
This episode invites you to step back, examine the bigger picture, and think about what true progress should mean for a nation with such an influential legacy.
America was founded on a powerful set of ideals: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what do those words look like in practice 250 years later? This 4th of July 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence. In our new episode, we explore a big question: how well is the United States living up to the promise at the heart of its identity? It’s a conversation that goes beyond politics and gets into the more profound social forces shaping everyday life.
We look at what happens when a country measures its success not just by economic strength, but by how people actually experience safety, opportunity, health, and freedom. That perspective reveals a story that’s more complicated than the celebrations suggest.
The Social Progress Index demonstrates that:
Using the Social Progress Index, Michael Green, CEO and host of the Beyond GDP podcast, shares new insights on how America has progressed since 1990 to today. For instance, the US ranks 99th for safety and 45th for health outcomes, despite spending more on healthcare than any other country. So, what does all this mean?
Shockingly, no other country has shown the same trajectory as the United States. Whether you are an American or listening from across the world, this episode offers a look at how national ideals and social well-being shape a country’s future, and why those questions matter everywhere.
This episode invites you to step back, examine the bigger picture, and think about what true progress should mean for a nation with such an influential legacy.
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