Blazing the Economic Freedom Trail (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781923568266)

This anthology traces more than two decades of the Centre for Independent Studies' work on economic policy, set against the shifting battle of ideas that has shaped Australia since the 1970s. Founded in 1976 during an era of stagflation and expanding government intervention, the CIS emerged as part of a classical liberal revival inspired by thinkers such as Milton Friedman and Friedrich Hayek. Its advocacy contributed to the reforming spirit that, from the mid-1980s, saw Australian governments of both political persuasions embrace markets, competition, free trade and fiscal discipline.

Yet the hard-won gains of this period have come under pressure in the years since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Many reforms have stalled, retreated or been overturned, and debates once thought settled have returned with new force. This collection reflects that contemporary context, bringing together 50 contributions from more than 20 authors on the persistent challenges of economic freedom.

Covering the fundamentals of the market economy, the rise of regulation and red tape, the growth of government spending, the burdens of taxation, and enduring issues such as housing and superannuation, these pieces offer a clear defence of liberal economic principles. While the authors differ in emphasis, they share a commitment to open markets, limited government and the belief that economic progress depends on resisting unwarranted state intervention.

What goes around comes around; and as this book demonstrates, the contest of economic ideas remains as vital today as it was at the founding of the CIS.