660 likes | 808 Views
Economic Freedom, Entrepreneurship, & Prosperity. Russell S. Sobel, Ph.D. Visiting Scholar in Entrepreneurship School of Business Administration The Citadel. What Explains Prosperity?. Adam Smith’s Question: Why Are Some Countries Rich and Others Poor?.
E N D
Economic Freedom, Entrepreneurship, & Prosperity Russell S. Sobel, Ph.D. Visiting Scholar in Entrepreneurship School of Business Administration The Citadel
Adam Smith’s Question:Why Are Some Countries Rich and Others Poor? An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776) • Policies and the system of economic organization (e.g., capitalism) matter more than things such as resources, geography, education, democracy, etc.
Growth is a function of “inputs” AND “institutions” Spending to increase “inputs” won’t work unless the “oven” is turned on
North Korea vs. South Korea Per Capita Income = $1,800 Per Capita Income = $24,200
A Quick Tour of The World As we go through these, ask yourself are these people entrepreneurial? Is it the people or the policies that are the problem?
Example 1 • A Country with VERY LOW Economic Freedom
Example 2 • A Country with LOW Economic Freedom
Example 3 • A Country with MEDIUM Economic Freedom
Example 4 • Another Country with Medium Economic Freedom
Example 5 • A Country with HIGH Economic Freedom
Example 6 • Another Country with HIGH Economic Freedom
The Role of the Entrepreneur • Decentralized entrepreneurship is one main reason why capitalism works to generate progress and prosperity • Entrepreneurs keep inventing new things that improve our way of life
Percent of homes with Heating & Air Conditioning 1956 = 6% 1996 = 81% Percent of homes with only one bathroom 1956 = 71% 1996 = 9% Our Homes
Our Cars • We now have DVD players, Air Conditioning, Anti-lock Brakes, Power windows
Our Computers MacBook Air Least expensive-11-inch, 64GB, $999.00 Most expensive- 13-inch, 256GB, $1,599.00
Our Medicine U.S. Life Expectancy has risen from 48 in 1900 to 76 today