Economic Freedom Of The World Annual Report

About the Members of the Economic Freedom Network / 235 Economic Freedom of the World: 2010 Annual Report v Executive Summary Economic Freedom of the World The index published in Economic Freedom of the World measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom. [...] Chapter 1: Economic Freedom of the World, 2008 The principal authors of the report, James Gwartney (Florida State University), Robert Lawson (Auburn University), and Joshua Hall (Beloit College), review the causes of the financial crisis and the recession. [...] The authors also review the history of the economic freedom project and describe the construction of the index. [...] Given the large costs of unemployment and the enormous number of jobless people worldwide, particularly in the wake of the current financial and economic crisis, governments should consider increasing economic freedom as a means of reducing unemployment. [...] The length and severity of the Great 2 Chapter 1: Economic Freedom of the World, 2008 Depression were the result of a sharp monetary con- to use resources productively and discover better ways traction, imposition of trade restrictions, higher taxes, of doing things is the driving force underlying economic increases in government spending financed with debt, growth and progress.

The most comprehensive index of economic freedom in the world and the only one that uses reproducible measures appropriate for peer-reviewed research, this annual report ranks 123 countries according to the degree of personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and protection of person and property enjoyed by their citizens. The preparation of the report was overseen by the Fraser Institute and directed by economist Milton Friedman.

The index published in Economic freedom of the world measures the degree to which the policies and institutions of countries are supportive of economic freedom. The cornerstones of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of privately owned property.

Derives an indicator for economic freedom based on personal choice, protection of private property, and freedom of exchange. Considers levels and trends in economic freedom, and their correlation with economic growth in 103 countries.

The most comprehensive index of economic freedom in the world and the only one that uses reproducible measures appropriate for peer-reviewed research, this annual report ranks 142 countries according to the degree of personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and protection of person and property enjoyed by their citizens. Each year, the preparation of the report is overseen by the Fraser Institute of Canada and has been strongly supported by the legendry economist Milton Friedman, to whose memory the present year's edition is dedicated.