William Ruger

Affiliated Scholar, Mercatus Center
Assistant Professor of Political Science, Texas State University - San Marcos

William P. Ruger is an assistant professor in the political science department at Texas State University. He has been an affiliated scholar with the Mercatus Center at George Mason University since 2008. Ruger is the author of the biography Milton Friedman and a coauthor of The State of Texas: Government, Politics, and Policy. His work has been published in International Studies Quarterly, State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Armed Forces and Society, and other outlets. Ruger earned an AB from the College of William and Mary and a PhD in politics from Brandeis University. He is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.

Published Research

Freedom in the 50 States: An Index of Personal and Economic Freedom

Jason Sorens, William Ruger | Feb 26, 2009

This paper presents the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres. It develops and…

Policy Briefs

Freedom in Oregon William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Oregon and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.	Freedom in Pennsylvania William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Pennsylvania and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.
Freedom in Virginia William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Virginia and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.	Freedom in Florida William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Florida and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.

Media Clippings

State Ranks Dead Last in Personal Freedom Jason Sorens, William Ruger \| Mar 29, 2013 Outlet: New York Post	New York Least Free State, North Dakota The Most, Study Finds Jason Sorens, William Ruger \| Mar 28, 2013 Outlet: The Huffington Post
So to Speak: Ohio no paragon of freedom, except for bears and such Jason Sorens, William Ruger \| Oct 20, 2011 Outlet: Columbus Dispatch	The 'Myth' of Tax Flight William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Aug 12, 2011 Outlet: Carolina Journal

More Media Clippings

Expert Commentary

How Free Is New England?

The Providence Journal

By William Ruger, Jason Sorens |

Apr 17, 2013

Ever since immigrants seeking liberty began arriving on its shores centuries ago, New England has been a symbol of freedom for the rest of the world. It has hosted the Pilgrims, birthed the American Revolution and sparked the Abolitionist Movement. But today many Americans see it as a place where government has grown too large and intrusive.

Californians Stifled By Lack of Freedoms

San Diego Union-Tribune

By William Ruger, Jason Sorens |

Apr 08, 2013

If you’re finding it harder and harder to live in California, you’re not alone.

New York’s Future Flees to Florida

New York Daily News

By Jason Sorens, William Ruger |

Mar 31, 2013

New Yorkers have long retired to the warmth and ease of the Florida coast, but eyebrow-raising numbers show that in recent years, most of those moving from the Empire State to the Sunshine State have been going there to find work.

States Limiting Freedom Pushes People Out

USA Today

By William Ruger, Jason Sorens |

Mar 28, 2013

Google's auto-complete feature has long been a source of amusement, but as a recent feature on BuzzFeed makes clear, it also says a lot about what it's like to live and work in different states in the country.

Research Areas

Videos

Veronique de Rugy and Will Ruger Discuss Freedom in the 50 States on Stossel

Veronique de Rugy, William Ruger | May 03, 2013

Freedom in the 50 States 2013

William Ruger, Jason Sorens | March 28, 2013

Ohio Ranks 42nd in Study of Individual Freedom

William Ruger | July 04, 2011

Let Freedom Ring?

William Ruger | June 12, 2011

Books

Freedom in the 50 States, 2013 Edition

William Ruger, Jason Sorens | Mar 28, 2013

Now in its third edition, Freedom in the 50 States presents a completely revised and updated ranking of the American states based on how their policies promote freedom in the fiscal, regulatory, and personal realms.

Podcasts

William Ruger Discusses Freedom in the 50 States on WBAL

William Ruger | April 17, 2013

William Ruger Discusses Freedom in the 50 States on WBAL…

Freedom in Oregon William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Oregon and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.	Freedom in Pennsylvania William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Pennsylvania and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.
Freedom in Virginia William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Virginia and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.	Freedom in Florida William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Jun 08, 2011 This Mercatus on Policy uses data from the Freedom in the 50 States study to focus specifically on Florida and how it compares to other states in its fiscal, regulatory, economic and personal freedom.

State Ranks Dead Last in Personal Freedom Jason Sorens, William Ruger \| Mar 29, 2013 Outlet: New York Post	New York Least Free State, North Dakota The Most, Study Finds Jason Sorens, William Ruger \| Mar 28, 2013 Outlet: The Huffington Post
So to Speak: Ohio no paragon of freedom, except for bears and such Jason Sorens, William Ruger \| Oct 20, 2011 Outlet: Columbus Dispatch	The 'Myth' of Tax Flight William Ruger, Jason Sorens \| Aug 12, 2011 Outlet: Carolina Journal