Recent empirical studies support Adam Smith’s contention that economic freedom enhances the wealth of nations. They also indicate that the reverse is true: rising prosperity has encouraged many countries to pursue free-market policies.

Economic FreedomInternational Economics and Development
Other Independent Review articles by John R. Hanson II
Winter 2007/08 Global Migration and the World Economy: Two Centuries of Policy and Performance
Spring 2003 Against the Dead Hand: The Uncertain Struggle for Global Capitalism
Spring 1999 Are We All Capitalists Now?