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Economic Freedom and Growth:Decomposing the Effects

Author

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  • Carlsson, Fredrik

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

  • Lundström, Susanna

    (Department of Economics, School of Economics and Commercial Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract

Most studies of the relation between economic freedom and growth of GDP have found a positive relation. One problem in this area is the choice of economic freedom measure. A single measure does notreflect the complex economic environment and a highly aggregated index makes it difficult to draw policy conclusions. In this paper we investigate what specific types of economic freedom measures that are important for growth. The robustness of the results is carefully analysed since the potential problem with multicollinearity is one of the negative effects of decomposing an index. The results show that economic freedom does matter for growth. This does not mean that increasing economic freedom, definedin general terms, is good for economic growth since some of the categories in the index are insignificant and some of the significant variables have negative effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlsson, Fredrik & Lundström, Susanna, 2001. "Economic Freedom and Growth:Decomposing the Effects," Working Papers in Economics 33, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic growth; Economic freedom;

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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