Principles of Economic Freedom

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Principles of Economic Freedom Chapter 1 Principles of Economic Freedom Ambassador Terry Miller and Anthony B. Kim [A] society that puts freedom first will, as a individual merit. Government decision-making happy by-product, end up with both great- is characterized by openness and transparency, er freedom and greater equality. Though which illuminates the shadows where dis- a by-product of freedom, greater equality crimination might flourish and promotes equal is not an accident. A free society releases opportunity for all. the energies and abilities of people to pur- In an economically free society, the power of sue their own objectives. It prevents some economic decision-making is widely dispersed, people from arbitrarily suppressing others. and the allocation of resources for production and consumption is on the basis of open compe- —Milton and Rose Friedman1 tition so that every individual or firm gets a fair chance to succeed. n an economically free society, each person These three fundamental principles of controls the fruits of his or her own labor economic freedom—empowerment of the I and initiative. Individuals are empowered— individual, non-discrimination, and open compe- indeed, entitled—to pursue their dreams by tition—underpin every measurement and policy means of their own free choice. idea presented in the Index of Economic Freedom. In an economically free society, individu- als succeed or fail based on their individual ECONOMIC FREEDOM: effort and ability. The institutions of a free and THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT open market society do not discriminate either As Friedrich Hayek once observed, “To be against or in favor of individuals based on their controlled in our economic pursuits means to be race, ethnic background, gender, class, family controlled in everything.”2 Hayek’s keen insights connections, or any other factor unrelated to into economic freedom are based on the moral 11 truth that each person is, as a matter of natural and enjoy the fruits of their labor. For example, right, a free and responsible being with inalien- citizens are taxed to provide revenue for public able dignity and fundamental liberties that safety, the protection of property, and the com- righteous and effective political systems should mon defense. Other goods—what economists call regard as unassailable. Governments that are “public goods”—may be supplied more efficiently just, according to the U.S. Declaration of Inde- by government than through private means. pendence, are instituted precisely to secure Some public goods, such as the maintenance of these rights. a police force to protect property rights, a mon- Any discussion of economic freedom thus has etary authority to maintain a sound currency, and at its heart reflection on the critical relationship an impartial judiciary to enforce contracts among between individuals and the government. In parties, are themselves vital ingredients of an eco- general, state action or government control that nomically free society. When government action interferes with individual autonomy limits eco- rises beyond the minimal necessary level, how- nomic freedom. ever, it leads inevitably and quickly to the loss of However, the goal of economic freedom is freedom—and the first freedom affected is often not simply an absence of government coercion economic freedom.3 or constraint, but the creation and maintenance Throughout history, governments have of a mutual sense of liberty for all. As individuals imposed a wide array of constraints on econom- enjoy the blessings of economic freedom, they ic activity. Such constraints, though sometimes in turn have a responsibility to respect the eco- imposed in the name of equality or some other nomic rights and freedoms of others within the noble societal purpose, are in reality imposed rule of law. Governments are instituted to ensure most often for the benefit of societal elites or spe- basic protections against the ravages of nature cial interests, and they come with a high cost to or the predations of one citizen against another. society as a whole. By substituting political judg- Positive economic rights such as property and ments for those of the marketplace, government contracts are given societal as well as individ- diverts entrepreneurial resources and energy ual defense against the destructive tendencies from productive activities to rent-seeking, the of others. quest for economically unearned benefits. The A comprehensive view of economic freedom result is lower productivity, economic stagna- should encompass all liberties and rights of pro- tion, and declining prosperity. duction, distribution, or consumption of goods Government provision of goods and services and services. The highest forms of economic beyond those that are clearly considered pub- freedom should provide an absolute right of lic goods also imposes a separate constraint on property ownership; full freedom of movement economic activity, crowding out private-sector for labor, capital, and goods; and an absolute activity and usurping resources that otherwise absence of coercion or constraint of economic might have been available for private investment activity beyond that which is necessary for the or consumption. Constraining economic choice protection and maintenance of liberty itself. An distorts and diminishes the production, distri- economically free society encourages the han- bution, and consumption of goods and services dling of economic decisions in a decentralized (including, of course, labor services). The wealth fashion. Individuals are free to work, produce, of a nation inevitably declines as a result. consume, and invest in any way they choose under the even-handed application of laws, with MEASURING ECONOMIC FREEDOM their economic freedoms at once both protected The Index of Economic Freedom takes a broad and respected by the state. and comprehensive view of economic freedom, Some government action is necessary for measuring country performance in 10 separate the citizens of a nation to defend themselves, areas. Some of the aspects of economic freedom promote the peaceful evolution of civil society, that are evaluated are concerned with a coun- 12 2015 Index of Economic Freedom try’s interactions with the rest of the world—for prospects for long-term economic growth. Such example, the extent of an economy’s openness to a system is also vital to the maintenance of peace global investment or trade. Most, however, focus and security and the protection of human rights. on policies within a country, assessing the liberty A key aspect of property rights protection is of individuals to use their labor or finances with- the enforcement of contracts. The voluntary out undue restraint and government interference. undertaking of contractual obligations is the Each of the measured aspects of economic foundation of the market system and the basis freedom plays a vital role in developing and for economic specialization, gains from com- sustaining personal and national prosperity. mercial exchange, and trade among nations. All are complementary in their impact, howev- Even-handed government enforcement of pri- er, and progress in one area is often likely to vate contracts is essential to ensuring equity and reinforce or even inspire progress in another. integrity in the marketplace. Similarly, repressed economic freedom in one Freedom from Corruption. In the context area—respect for property rights, for example— of economic freedom, corruption can best be may make it much more difficult to achieve high understood as the failure of integrity in the eco- levels of freedom in other categories. nomic system, a distortion by which individu- The 10 measured aspects of economic free- als or special-interest groups are able to gain at dom may be grouped into four broad categories: the expense of the whole. Often a direct result of the government’s concentration of economic • Rule of law (property rights, freedom or political power, corruption manifests itself in from corruption); many forms such as bribery, extortion, nepotism, • Government size (fiscal freedom, govern- cronyism, patronage, embezzlement, and graft. ment spending); Corruption can infect all parts of an economy • Regulatory efficiency (business freedom, in systematic ways. There is a direct relationship labor freedom, monetary freedom); and between the extent of government intervention • Market openness (trade freedom, invest- in economic activity and the prevalence of cor- ment freedom, financial freedom). ruption. In particular, excessive and redundant government regulations provide opportunities Rule of Law for bribery or graft. In addition, government Property Rights. The ability to accumulate regulations or restrictions in one area may cre- private property and wealth is understood to ate informal markets in another. For example, be a central motivating force for workers and by imposing numerous burdensome barriers on investors in a market economy. The recognition conducting business, including regulatory red of private property rights and an effective rule of tape and high transaction costs, a government law to protect them are vital features of a fully can incentivize bribery and encourage illegiti- functioning market economy. Secure property mate market interactions. rights give citizens the confidence to undertake Ensuring transparency is crucial to dealing entrepreneurial activity, save their income, and effectively with corruption. Openness in regu- make long-term plans because they know that latory procedures and processes can promote
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