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Personal
Snapshots
Forecasts & Strategies
June
2002
"Economic
repression breeds intolerance, fanaticism and terrorism."
—
Gerald P. O’Driscoll, Jr., Heritage Foundation
I
couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this unusual map of the
world. "The World Map of Economic Freedom" was published
by the Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal
before the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This incredible
map—reproduced in full in the May issue of Ideas on Liberty—predicted
in living color a war between America and the Middle East,
and reveals in unmistakable clarity why Islamic extremists
attacked New York and Washington.
Since
September 11, we’ve heard all kinds of reasons why the terrorists
struck America—in retaliation for the United States’ supporting
Israel, for America’s meddling in the Middle East, Arab’s
envy of America’s superpower status and their hatred of America’s
lifestyle. This map gives the real reason. (Go to www.fee.org
to view the map)
In
this "world map of economic freedom," each nation
is ranked according to its degree of economic freedom, based
on 10 factors, such as level of taxation, trade restrictions,
labor regulations, inflation, property rights and government
intervention in the economy. Countries in blue, like the United
States and Britain, are ranked "free." Countries
in green, like Canada and France, are considered "mostly
free." Nations in yellow, like Russia and Brazil, are
labeled "mostly unfree." Finally, nations in red
are ranked "repressed."
This
world map is an eye-opener. It shows that few nations are
truly free. Countries colored in blue include the United States,
Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Clearly, freedom
is a delicate and rare flower. Canada and Europe are "mostly
free." Third World nations are "mostly unfree."
Countries painted yellow include Russia, China, India, Brazil
and most of Africa. In fact, of the 155 nations surveyed,
over half (81) received a negative grade (yellow or red).
The
Biggest Shock: Where Is the Red?
But
the most shocking fact is that almost all of the red nations
are located in the Middle East. It is clearly the area of
the world with the highest concentration of "repressed"
freedom. This area of the world has been crippled from constant
war, corruption, inflation, black markets, protectionism and
government intervention on a grand scale. Most of the Arab
world continues to suffer from economic dislocation, political
turmoil and military conflict. It is not surprising that for
most Arabs the standard of living is low, despite an abundance
of oil.
The
Most Important Lesson in the War on Terrorism
What
is the most important lesson we can learn from this map? Simply
this: Economic repression leads to intolerance, fanaticism
and terrorism. It is not surprising that the Middle East
is a major source of radicalism and chaos. A closed society
breeds intolerance and fanaticism. Interestingly, most of
the Middle East is also famous for its lack of political democracy
and religious tolerance. Most are ruled by dictators or kings.
Religious proselyting is prohibited in Arab nations and even
in Israel.
But
there is another important lesson to learn from this map.
Liberalized trade and open markets break down cultural and
social monotheism, and destroy fanaticism and intolerance.
Business encourages people to become educated, industrious
and self-disciplined. Commerce encourages trade, travel and
exchange between nations and cultures.
What
then is the real solution to the War on Terrorism? Sending
troops and fighting war in faraway lands may offer a short-term
solution to terrorism, but the only real permanent peace can
be achieved through expanding trade and business, and establishing
a legal system conducing to a civil society and prosperous
economy. In short, a good dose of open markets and competition
in all walks of life could go a long way toward bringing peace,
prosperity and goodwill in this dangerous part of the world.
Until that happens, however, many will shout "peace,
peace, when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 8:11)
Our
Goal at FEE: Color the World Blue!
This
world map also gives us the opportunity to explain our mission
here at FEE in simple terms that everyone can see: Freedom
in our time for all peoples. Our goal is to color the world
blue. I do think that we are making progress. If you saw this
world map of economic freedom in 1985, when the Soviet Union
and China were closed communist nations, over half the world’s
population would have been colored "red." With the
collapse of the Berlin Wall and the downfall of Soviet communism,
many nations have moved from "red" to "yellow"
and from "yellow" to "green." Will they
eventually move to "blue"? Through our books, monthly
magazines and seminars, FEE will do everything in its power
to achieve this lofty goal.
Action
to Take: To receive a copy of "The Map That Predicted
the Terrorist Attacks," subscribe now to Ideas on
Liberty, only $39 for 12 issues. We’ll send you, free,
the map and a four-page commentary. Make your payment to Foundation
for Economic Education, 30 South Broadway, Irvington, New
York 10533. Or www.fee.org
or call 800/960-4FEE, ext. 209, for credit-card orders.
FEE
Fest 2002: Special Report
"I’ve
attended many conferences, but yours is the best of the best.
Thank you!"
—Attendee,
FEE National Convention
Last
month, FEE held its first ever FEE National Convention, and
it was a huge success. With only four months of planning,
we were able to register nearly 900 attendees. Nathaniel Branden,
a keynote speaker at the Saturday night banquet, described
the atmosphere well when he said, "I feel an electricity
here that I haven’t sensed at libertarian meetings for a long
time." Actor Ben Stein wrote a poem just for FEE (to
be published in the June issue of Ideas on Liberty),
and C-SPAN Book TV videotaped six book authors (check the
schedule on www.booktv.com
or www.FEEnews.org).
The
FEE Fest was packed with workshops, panels and debates on
philosophy, history, economics, finance, education, art and
public policy.
Audiotapes/Videos
Now Available
If
you missed the FEE Fest, I have good news. Audio and videotapes
are available for almost all the sessions at the FEE National
Convention. Audiotapes cost only $5 per session, ($275 for
all) and videotapes are available for only $15 ($110 for all).
Go to www.FEEnationalconvention.org
for the complete list of tape recordings available and how
to order or call Harold Skousen, 800/254-2057.
SKOUSEN’S
PUZZLER FOR JUNE:
1883
is a very important year in economics. Name one economist
who died in 1883, and two economists who were
born in that same year. They say that it took two economists
to make up for the mischief of the one who died. Who are these
three economists? (Hint: You can find the answer in my book,
The Making of Modern Economics, available from FEE,
800-960-4FEE, ext. 209).
The
first 10 winners with the correct answer will receive a copy
of my book, Economic Logic. Drawing will be on July
31, 2002. Send answer to Quarterly Puzzler, c/o Phillips Investment
Resources, LLC, 7811 Montrose Rd., Potomac, Maryland 20854,
or e-mail your answer to msfs_cs@investor-place.com.
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