Antonio Saravia presents, "Economic Freedom in Latin America" in the Human Progress and Flourishing Workshop. This event is free and open to all members of the NDSU community and the public. The workshop format includes a 40-minute presentation followed by audience Q&A. After the presentation, light food and refreshments will be served in the Challey School of Music Atrium.

What is the talk about?

The presentation will provide an overview of the evolution of the Index of Economic Freedom in Latin America over the last three decades. We will assess the extent by which the region has been strengthening its economic freedom levels over time, and what areas of the index have contributed the most. We will also assess the benefits that higher levels of economic freedom have brought to the region in terms of income levels, economic growth, and poverty reduction. This exercise will allow us to classify countries in different groups: those for which the efforts of strengthening economic freedom has brought the expected benefits, those for which it hasn’t, and those that achieved some positive results despite not increasing or even reducing their economic freedom levels. Finally, we will assess whether economic freedom in the region is correlated with the advent of political freedom, i.e. whether democracy is a determinant of economic freedom for Latin American countries.

Who is Antonio Saravia?

Dr. Antonio Saravia is the Associate Professor of Economics and the Director of the Center for the Study of Economics and Liberty at Mercer University. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Arizona State University and an MA in Economics from Georgetown University. His work has appeared in highly ranked academic journals such as the Review of Development Economics, Constitutional Political Economy, and The Cato Journal, among others. Dr. Saravia is a frequent speaker on college campuses and conferences around the world. He is also a recurrent commentator for major media outlets such as CNN, NPR, Fox News, etc.

What is the Human Progress and Flourishing Workshop?

The Human Progress and Flourishing Workshop invites internationally renowned scholars and speakers from across the country to present research and engage in discussion with the NDSU community. The series focuses on solutions and policies that contribute to opportunity, innovation, and individual and societal flourishing. The workshop is available as a one-credit course (BUSN 491/690) for undergraduate and graduate students. You do not need to be enrolled in the course to attend these events.

If you are unable to attend in person, you can register on Zoom at:
https://ndsu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yuwZtzFqQCeoTg9vIaJ84g