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  • Enterprise and Free Markets

    Unshackle American entrepreneurs by making the United States the most economically free country in the world.

    Kosovo’s Independence Welcome, but Work Still to Be Done

    Republic of Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, in his February 17 speech commemorating the 5th anniversary of the country’s independence, expressed pride in his country’s visible accomplishments, but noted appropriately his awareness that “we need to do much more.” Indeed. Despite notable reforms since independence, the foundations of economic freedom … More

    Rule of Law Essential for Business

    In a globally competitive world, competition is key. Fundamental for competition is the rule of law, according to Myron Brilliant, Senior Vice President for International Affairs of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who spoke at a recent Heritage Foundation event. In his remarks, which elaborated on a chapter he contributed … More

    Union That Bankrupted Hostess to Receive Generous Government Subsidies

    The union whose strike led to the bankruptcy of Hostess last year has just been awarded government benefits from a program few qualify for. Last year, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union refused to accept concessions that would have kept Hostess in business. The company had … More

    Protectionist Jones Act Harms Puerto Ricans

    An obsolete U.S. law known as the Jones Act makes people in Puerto Rico poorer, according to a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, requires people transporting goods by ship between two points in … More

    Mr. President, Don’t Forget: Imports Create Jobs, Too

    Trade is again on President Obama’s agenda thanks to some high-profile mentions in his State of the Union address last Tuesday. According to the President, the proposed Trans-Pacific and Transatlantic Partnerships should boost exports and create American jobs. Exports, however, are only one side of the coin. Free trade also … More

    Room for Improvement When It Comes to Services Trade

    The Obama Administration recently announced its intention to begin negotiations on an agreement to expand international trade in the services industry, such as the telecommunications, banking, and insurance sectors. According to a letter from U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R–OH), the White House … More

    Corruption Victimizes the Poor in the Americas

    The recently launched “Americas Barometer,” by Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), includes important insights about day-to-day corruption burdening citizens in every country in the Western Hemisphere, including the U.S. and Canada. According to a LAPOP poll, one in five people report that they had to pay at … More

    Mexico Poised to Become an “Aztec Tiger”

    Newly installed Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto is seeking to revamp Mexico’s economy, and one tool he has already pursued is labor reform. It is long overdue. According to the 2013 Index of Economic Freedom, published by The Heritage Foundation and The Wall Street Journal, Mexico ranks below the world … More

    Declining Economic Freedom and Growing Statism: The BRICs Are Hitting the Wall

    Economist Nouriel Roubini warned late last month at the World Economic Forum that economic growth in the so-called BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) is at risk: Their past successes were “hyped up,” and the futures of the BRICs are at risk due to rising statism. This rising risk … More

    Hard to Justify Across-the-Board Federal Pay Raises

    The House just voted on a proposal to extend President Obama’s (misnamed) “federal pay freeze” for another year. While Congress has better ways of reducing excessive federal compensation, this approach beats handing out an across-the-board raise. Americans should not have to take a vow of poverty to work in government, … More