The Core Principles of Hope Street Group

I. Building an Opportunity Economy:

Improving access to opportunity and promoting economic growth are mutually reinforcing objectives. A fiscally sustainable, thriving economy exists when economic opportunity is available to the greatest possible number of Americans. As human capital, assets, and earning power are distributed more broadly, the wider economy gains from greater individual contributions. These are essential elements of America’s prosperity and global competitiveness.

A true Opportunity Economy addresses both sides of the equation: creating a level playing field that increases economic growth, and deploying policies that increase individual market participation.

At the macro level, an Opportunity Economy:

Promotes a sustainable and transparent investment environment that supports a stable economy by:

• Lowering barriers to competition.
• Ensuring all companies and industries receive comparable treatment.
• Adopting policies that encourage investment, work, and fiscal responsibility.

At the micro level, an Opportunity Economy:

Increases individual market participation by:

• Investing in human capital in the three top drivers of economic opportunity: education, health care and a dynamic labor market.
• Adopting polices that promote individual wealth accumulation and financial security.
• Providing a cushion against total catastrophe e.g. loss of health care.
• Encouraging entrepreneurialism by allowing people to take risks such as changing jobs, starting a business, or going to college e.g. through portable pensions.

II. A new generation of business leaders has an essential role to play.

The unprecedented changes in technology and globalization have forced businesses to adapt to a new economy; it is essential that we engage a new generation of leaders that has lived and worked through these transformations in the next iteration of policy formation. Their views and experience will also be invaluable in realigning the mindsets of interest groups, activists, and political leaders in favor of economic opportunity.