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The Hayek–Friedman hypothesis on the press: is there an association between economic freedom and press freedom?

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  • BJØRNSKOV, CHRISTIAN

Abstract

The Hayek–Friedman hypothesis states that economic freedom is causally associated with stable democracy. I test a particular element of the hypothesis focusing on press freedom, which is arguably a necessary component of any democratic polity. Combining the Freedom House index of press freedom and the Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom yields a large annual panel dataset between 1993 and 2011. Estimates show that improvements in economic freedom are associated with subsequent improvements of press freedom. The overall association is mainly driven by changes in market openness.

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  • Bjørnskov, Christian, 2018. "The Hayek–Friedman hypothesis on the press: is there an association between economic freedom and press freedom?," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 617-638, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jinsec:v:14:y:2018:i:04:p:617-638_00
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    Cited by:

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    3. Berggren, Niclas & Bjørnskov , Christian, 2024. "Economic Freedom and Academic Freedom across Nations," Working Paper Series 1486, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.
    4. Ryan H. Murphy, 2019. "Governance and the dimensions of autocracy," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 131-148, June.
    5. Bjørnskov, Christian & Schröder, Philipp J.H., 2023. "Press freedom, market information, and international trade," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    6. Bjørnskov, Christian & Mchangama, Jacob, 2023. "Freedom of Expression and Social Conflict," Working Paper Series 1473, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.

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