Government Regulations Hamper Growth of Small Businesses
Being an ardent supporter of the free market, I had always known that government interventions curb entrepreneurs’ innovativeness, thus leading to fewer opportunities for all. Data from the World Bank Group Entrepreneurship Survey (2008) proves it. World Bank economists
Will Free Markets Ruin Society?
I am a staunch believer in free markets. But that isn’t reason enough for you to be convinced. Let’s instead consider a recent study in this field. Let us consider what some experts have to say regarding whether free markets will ruin society:
Smoking, Drinking, Gambling and the Government
There are plenty of people in this world who are involved in smoking, drinking or gambling or maybe all of them together. What chance does the government have of stopping activities which in spite of their harmful effects are being followed by an overwhelming
Control versus Freedom: Comparing India and Hong Kong
Hong Kong spreads over 1,104.4 sq km and is home to 7.097 million people. Its GDP was $224.1 billion in 2010 at a GDP real growth rate of 6.8%.
Hong Kong is one of the leading capitalist economies of the world. It has been ranked as the freest economy for 17 consecutive years in the Wall Street Journal and Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom. Hong Kong has proved that resources are used most efficiently if market forces decide its allocation. Hong Kong is one of the richest economies in the world.
Taxation or Robbery? Where to Draw the Line?
Taxation has been defined as “that part of the revenues of a state which is obtained by the compulsory dues and charges upon its subjects” by The Encyclopedia Britannica. In this definition, the word ‘compulsory’ definitely looms
What Business Does the Government Have In Controlling Businesses?
“It is the highest impertinence and presumption… in kings and ministers, to pretend to watch over the economy of private people, and to restrain their expense… They are themselves always, and without any exception, the greatest
In the Name of Capitalism: All’s Not Well!!
Sarah Palin’s speech earlier this month in Indianola, Iowa tore apart Washington’s political fraternity. While it may have left her presidential aspirations in a dicey situation, her speech attacked government officials and politicos who are getting wealthy
Citizen and State
China has come to be synonymous with words like communism and state control. The image of China is irrevocably one of a state with complete control over its citizens. And because of this overriding power of state the image of the country is, to a large extent the image of the State.
Liquor and Cigarettes – Reduce taxes
Governments around the world are strapped for cash. Finance ministers, find liquor and tobacco the easiest ‘sins’ to tax. Who can object? Cigarette and liquor companies should be glad they are allowed to exist and be happy that they are merely taxed. Right?
David and Goliath
What is common to Estonia and China? Estonia is in Europe, China is in Asia. Estonia is just a dot on the map, in China you could fit 212 Estonias. Estonia’s population of 1.5 million is 6.5% of Nepal’s. China has 1.3 billion people, 56 times that of Nepal. Estonia is a
Rakesh Wadhwa. Ever since, I was a school boy, I knew India was on the wrong path. Socialism was just not what we needed to get ahead. Government controlled our travel; government controlled our ability to buy and sell; and government controlled our freedom to move our money. My life has focused on the inherent rights people have. When I was in college, I never understood, what the governments meant by their "socialistic attitude". If people are free to buy, sell and move their capital themselves without any restrictions by state, then the welfare of people is inevitable & hence the countries they live in will become wealthy. The government has no right whatsoever, to point a finger at me or my business. I am not a revolutionary. I just want to light up my cigarette and not get nagged about it. I believe in non-interfering attitude to attain more. 
The Bastiat Award is a journalism award, given annually by the International Policy Network, London. Bastiat Prize entries are judged on intellectual content, the persuasiveness of the language used and the type of publication in which they appear. Rakesh Wadhwa won the 3rd prize (a cash award of $1,000 and a candlestick), in 2006.
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