Social Science and the Public Interest

Excerpt

Since 1995, the Heritage Foundation has published an annual report on economic freedom throughout the world. Its authors write, “As the Index has documented over the past 22 years, lasting prosperity is a result of a persistent commitment to limited government, strong private property rights, openness to global trade and financial flows, and sensible regulation. Together, these interrelated factors have been proven to empower the individual and induce dynamic entrepreneurial activity.” The index itself is compiled by measures such as investment freedom; control of public spending; freedom from corruption; monetary, trade, and labor freedom. The good news is that according to their measurements, global economic freedom in general based on such measures has advanced for the fourth year in a row. …