Nations that are economically free outperform less‐​free nations on indicators of human well‐​being. James Gwartney will discuss trends in economic liberty around the world and ways in which such freedom spreads. Simeon Djankov will review the latest findings on how bureaucracy, high taxes and the ability to register property in developing countries affect growth, the size of the informal sector and the participation of women in the economy. He will also explain how countries as diverse as Egypt, Croatia, and Georgia are reform leaders in the World Bank’s latest index on the ease of doing business.