Opinion

America’s Economic Freedom Has Rapidly Declined Under Obama

America’s declining score in the economic freedom index is closely related to rapidly rising government spending, subsidies, and bailouts.
America’s Economic Freedom Has Rapidly Declined Under Obama
A trader is reflected in a market screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City on Aug. 25, 2015. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Millions of people around the world are emerging from poverty thanks to rising economic freedom. But by sharp contrast, America’s economic freedom has been on a declining path over the past decade.

According to the 2016 Index of Economic Freedom, an annual publication by The Heritage Foundation, America’s economic freedom has tumbled. With losses of economic freedom in eight of the past nine years, the U.S. has tied its worst score ever, wiping out a decade of progress.

America's declining score in the economic freedom index is closely related to rapidly rising government spending, subsidies, and bailouts.
Anthony B. Kim
Anthony B. Kim
Author
Anthony B. Kim is a research fellow in economic freedom at The Heritage Foundation, editor of the Index of Economic Freedom, and manager of global engagement for Heritage’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom.
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