Before researchers can determine how a country ranks in comparisons of human freedom, they must choose among alternative conceptions of freedom put forth during the past two millennia of political thought. The Human Freedom Index may be the first comprehensive empirical measure based on an intellectually consistent definition of human freedom.

Fred McMahon is a Fraser Institute resident fellow and holder of the Dr. Michael A. Walker Research Chair in Economic Freedom. He manages the Economic Freedom of the World Project and coordinates the Economic Freedom Network, an international alliance of eighty-six independent think tanks.
Alan Dowd is a senior fellow and senior editor with the Fraser Institute.
Culture and SocietyFreedomPhilosophy and Religion