Scholarly Comments on Academic Economics

On Testing the Connection Between Economic Freedom and Growth

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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.

Response to this article by Jakob De Haan and Jan-Egbert Sturm: How to Handle Economic Freedom: Reply to Lawson (EJW, September 2006).