This paper examines whether government ideology influenced economic freedom across the German states. The results show that in former West Germany rightwing governments promoted economic freedom, whereas leftwing governments confined it. In former East Germany, however, rightwing governments have not been associated with propagating economic freedom. This finding appears to conflict with the co...

Interest in the possible relationship between economic freedom and economic growth has burgeoned in recent years and most studies have found economic freedom to be conducive to economic growth. Yet, economic freedom is a broad concept that includes very different aspects. The rule of law is a precondition for a high degree of economic freedom. In this paper, it is therefore asked whether it can...