Put simply, the greater a country’s economic freedom, the greater its level of prosperity over time. Likewise, the greater a country’s economic freedom, the faster it will grow. Economic freedom, which includes not only policies, such as free trade and stable money, but also institutions, such as the rule of law and the security of private property rights, increases more than income. It is also strongly related to improvements in other development indicators such as longevity, access to safe drinking water, lower corruption, and dramatically higher incomes for the poorest members of society.

More on Economic Freedom

Commentary

The US in the Red: How Are We Doing?

By Jagadeesh Gokhale. The Free Lance-Star. June 24, 2013.

From Captive Nations to Free Markets

By Richard W. Rahn. Washington Times. June 4, 2013.

Chávez’s Grim Legacy

By Juan Carlos Hidalgo. New York Post. March 6, 2013.

Cato Studies

Asia’s Story of Growing Economic Freedom

By Razeen Sally. Policy Analysis No. 725. June 5, 2013.

Zimbabwe: Why Is One of the World’s Least-Free Economies Growing So Fast?

By Craig J. Richardson. Policy Analysis No. 722. March 18, 2013.

Trading with the Bear: Why Russia’s Entry into the WTO Is in America’s Interest

By Daniel Griswold and Douglas Petersen. Free Trade Bulletin No. 46. December 6, 2011.

Articles

What Are the Lessons from Post-Communist Transitions?

Dalibor Rohac. Economic Affairs. Vol. 33. No. 1. February 6, 2013.

From Fighting the Drug War to Protecting the Right to Use Drugs: Recognizing a Forgotten Liberty

Doug Bandow. Towards a Worldwide Index of Human Freedom. 2013.

An Index of Freedom in the World

Ian Vásquez and Tanja Štumberger. Towards a Worldwide Index of Human Freedom. 2013.

Public Filings

On International Economic and Exchange Rate Policy Hearings

By Steve H. Hanke. Testimony. May 1, 2002.

Reviews & Journals

Canada’s Fiscal Reforms

Chris Edwards. Cato Journal. Spring/Summer 2013.

Challenges for the German Welfare State before and after the Global Financial Crisis

Mark Hallerberg. Cato Journal. Spring/Summer 2013.

Choosing the Best Policy Mix to Cure Europe’s Stagnation

Pascal Salin. Cato Journal. Spring/Summer 2013.

Events

Poverty and Progress: Realities and Myths about Global Poverty

Featuring Deepak Lal and Ian Vásquez. June 18, 2013. Book Forum.

India Grows at Night: A Liberal Case for a Strong State

Featuring Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar and Ian Vásquez. June 11, 2013. Book Forum.

Third Annual Cato Papers on Public Policy Conference

Featuring Jeffrey A. Miron. June 6, 2013, June 7, 2013. Conference.