Backroom deals between members of the governing class and their hand-picked cronies influence the legislative, executive, and regulatory actions of governments around the world. Examples of this ancient form of corruption abound. Government intrusions into the private sector as a partner, financier, or outright owner are not only morally hazardous, but toxic to economic freedom. Such special-interest arrangements directly contradict the principles of freedom, incentives, and opportunity detailed in The Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom. Citizens of any country need a system of non-discriminatory markets and impartial credit allocation, as well as rewards for individual success, in order to get ahead based on merit and hard work.
President Benigno S. “Noynoy” Aquino III made a pledge to the voters of The Philippines who elected him in a 2010 landslide to reduce long-standing and endemic corruption. If he can deliver on the promise he will increase economic freedom.
(The Center Square) – A new report ranks Illinois 37th in the country in personal and economic freedoms. The "Freedom in the 50 States" report from the CATO Institute, ranks states' freedom level by comparing personal f.