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Growth-enhancing economic freedom

Author

Listed:
  • Sriparna Ghosh
  • Bryan C. McCannon

Abstract

Purpose - We explore how economic freedom measurements can be used to guide policy. Design/methodology/approach - We propose a method for creating a growth-enhancing economic freedom index, which allows for nonlinearities and interaction effects between the components to economic freedom. We use this method to illustrate that US states differ in which policy area generates the greatest gains. Findings - To validate the method presented, we apply our index to state bond markets. Financial market participants have the incentive to properly evaluate states’ policies. If our measurement is useful, then it should correlate with bond ratings. Consistent with this hypothesis, we present evidence that state bond ratings are strongly correlated with our growth-enhancing economic freedom index. Originality/value - It has been well-established that economic freedom is associated with good economic outcomes. Economic freedom is comprised of numerous dimensions. Thus, the marginal benefit of improving policy in one area can be expected to depend on the amount of freedom in the other dimensions. Which policy improvement is most impactful depends on the entire menu of current policies and, therefore, differs between states. Our new method can then be used as a guide to determining for a particular state which policies can be expected to impact economic well-being the most.

Suggested Citation

  • Sriparna Ghosh & Bryan C. McCannon, 2017. "Growth-enhancing economic freedom," Journal of Financial Economic Policy, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(02), pages 209-224, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:jfeppp:jfep-11-2016-0086
    DOI: 10.1108/JFEP-11-2016-0086
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gouider, Abdessalem & Nouira, Ridha & Saafi, Sami, 2022. "Re-Exploring the Nexus Between Economic Freedom and Growth: Is There a Threshold Effect?," Journal of Economic Development, The Economic Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, vol. 47(3), pages 147-167, September.
    2. Bryan C. McCannon & Joshua C. Hall, 2021. "Stay‐at‐home orders were issued earlier in economically unfree states," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 87(4), pages 1138-1151, April.
    3. Cebula, Richard J. & Connaughton, John E. & Swartz , Caroline, 2020. "Right-to-Work Laws as Economic Freedom: Their Role in Influencing the Geographic Pattern of Manufacturing Jobs, Incomes, and Finances," American Business Review, Pompea College of Business, University of New Haven, vol. 23(2), pages 431-450, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Government policy and regulation; Financial economics; Economics of regulation; Bond interest rates; H7; E61; P1;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations
    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • P1 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies

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