For more than two centuries, the United States has remained a land of opportunity. The nation has a vibrant market economy, which has enabled unsurpassed levels of economic entrepreneurship. Yet, even from the nation’s earliest days, its founders recognized the perils of a market left solely to the desires of industry and individuals. While Americans pride themselves on a commitment to the free market, government has historically played a large and often under-recognized role in the day-to-day functioning of the economy. By developing a robust fact base that captures the extent to which the federal government is involved in various aspects of the economy, the markets program quantifies the impact of that commitment, shines a spotlight on examples of waste and promotes policies to increase efficiency.