The Mercatus Center released the latest Freedom in the 50 States report Thursday, giving a new and updated ranking of all 50 American states based on how their policies promote freedom in the fiscal, regulatory and personal realms. <\/p>\n
The concept of freedom used in the report, the authors said, is that of individual rights. <\/p>\n
\"In our view, individuals should be allowed to dispose of their lives, liberties and property as they see fit, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others,\" the study FAQ said. \"The understanding of freedom follows from the natural-rights liberal thought of John Locke, Immanuel Kant and Robert Nozick, but is also consistent with the rights-generating rule-utilitarianism of Herbert Spencer and others.\" <\/p>\n
Utah makes an appearance in the top 10 most free states for the first time this year, while states like New York, California and New Jersey remain firmly established as the least free states in the U.S. <\/p>\n
Here's a look at the 10 highest-ranking states and the 10 lowest-ranking states on this year's personal freedom index. <\/p>\n
>> Read Jay Evensen's perspective on the Freedom in the 50 States ranking <\/p>\n
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Freedom in the 50 States: Utah makes top 10; New York comes in last<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Mercatus Center released the latest Freedom in the 50 States report Thursday, giving a new and updated ranking of all 50 American states based on how their policies promote freedom in the fiscal, regulatory and personal realms. The concept of freedom used in the report, the authors said, is that of individual rights. \"In our view, individuals should be allowed to dispose of their lives, liberties and property as they see fit, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others,\" the study FAQ said. Continue reading