2024 Annual Research Conference

Over the past seventeen years, there has been a noticeable rise in authoritarianism across the globe. Autocratic regimes have sought to export authoritarianism and undermine freedom on a global scale. Citizens in countries around the world have grown increasingly skeptical about democracy’s ability to address their needs, turning to leaders who promise quick economic gains at the expense of political freedoms.  

But amid these challenges, there are signs of hope. Research shows that achieving prosperity does not require sacrificing freedom. In fact, data demonstrates that the surest path to prosperity lies in a political system that fosters and prioritizes political, economic, and legal freedoms.  

On February 27, 2024, the Freedom and Prosperity Center hosted its second annual Research Conference in Washington, DC. Scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders from around the world gathered to present research and analysis on international development and the relationship between freedom and prosperity.

The event featured opening remarks from Daron Acemoglu, institute professor of economics at MIT and one of the most cited scholars in international development, and included regional panels with scholars and government officials from Europe, the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Additional scholars from around the world also presented research showcases on topics such as innovation, artificial intelligence, and foreign direct investment.