2024 Atlas: Freedom and Prosperity Around the World

This comprehensive volume, featuring insights from twenty leading economists and diplomats, serves as a roadmap for navigating the complexities of contemporary governance. By examining the trajectories of various nations and regions, the discourse illuminates key trends shaping global prosperity and underscores the importance of preserving fundamental freedoms in the face of evolving geopolitical challenges. The contemporary geopolitical landscape is marked by a series of crises—economic downturns, geopolitical tensions, and global pandemics—that have reshaped the role of governments worldwide. In response to these challenges, governments have significantly expanded their authority, prompting a reevaluation of traditional liberal principles and fundamental freedoms. This shift has led to a complex interplay between security imperatives and individual liberties, raising concerns about the erosion of trust in public institutions and the proliferation of surveillance technologies. Against this backdrop, the Atlantic Council's Freedom and Prosperity Center seeks to explore policies that strike a delicate balance between fostering trust in governance and protecting personal liberties. Through political, economic, and legal reforms, policymakers are challenged to navigate the multifaceted dynamics of freedom, security, and prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world. Comprehensive analysis spanning eighteen countries and regions highlights four alarming trends: privacy infringements, human capital losses, environmental challenges, and declining productivity. These underscore the urgent need for innovative policy responses that prioritize individual liberties while addressing pressing socio-economic and environmental concerns. Central to this discussion is the recognition of the enduring relationship between freedom and prosperity. The chapters in this book provide compelling evidence that the preservation and advancement of freedoms are essential drivers of sustained economic growth and societal well-being. Today's complex interplay between geopolitical forces and domestic governance structures highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors driving global prosperity. By engaging in rigorous empirical analysis and leveraging insights from diverse disciplines, policymakers can develop informed strategies to navigate the challenges of the twenty-first century. By prioritizing trust, transparency, and accountability in governance, policymakers can foster an environment conducive to sustained economic growth, social cohesion, and global prosperity.