Scholarly Comments on Academic Economics

On Testing the Connection between Economic Freedom and Growth

by

*Robert A. Lawson* is Professor of Economics and George H. Moor Chair in the School of Management at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. He earned his B.S. in economics from the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in econom

Abstract

Jakob De Haan, Susanna Lundström, and Jan-Egbert Sturm have written a valuable survey of the literature that uses the Gwartney and Lawson economic freedom (EFW) index. Their discussion of the index’s theoretical underpinnings and methodological ins and outs itself should be useful to scholars interested in the field. While DLS accurately describe the mechanics of the construction of the EFW index and the econometric literature that has found a link between economic freedom and economic growth, I find myself in disagreement with some of their commentary. This reply in part will address these issues.

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Volume (Issue)
Pages
398-406
Published
JEL classification
H0, O17, O47, P0
Keywords
Economic Freedom; Economic Growth; Liberalization
Article Downloads (all formats)
3032 since Sep 2006

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