Cato Institute - Hong Kong Tops Freedom Index

[shri]

Weird ... just too weird that Hong Kong has the top spot in the Freedom Index. Above Switzerland, the UK, United States and many other countries.

Perhaps I've lived here for far too long and don't see the whole freedom thing - economic, political or even being able to take my dog for a walk on the beach.

TL;DR Press Release:
New Human Freedom Index, U.S. Ranks 20th | Cato @ Liberty

Study:
Human Freedom Index | Cato Institute

[shri]

Based on 2012 data ...

Hong Kong is an outlier in our index. Its high ranking is due to its traditionally strong rule of law, and high levels of both personal and economic freedom, something that all advocates of freedom, including democracy advocates, should seek to protect.

The danger there is that China’s efforts to limit democracy will lead to increasing interference in the territory’s institutions—including on the independence of its legal system and the freedom of its press—which will reduce its overall freedom.

[Cho-man]

If you look at economic factors, superficially, HK does enjoy high degree of economic freedom, with its low taxes, reliable legal system (well...for now anyway) and lack of capital controls.

But what this ranking does not measure are the structural problems behind the HK economy (the cartels) and government-business collusion. Or the relatively low amount of start-up capital this city has attracted compared to our neighbours (indicating an unfriendly environment for entrepreneurs).

If they measure those criteria, HK will rank far lower.