Bruno Leoni Annual Gala Dinner

01.12.2016

Istituto Bruno Leoni celebrated its annual gala dinner earlier this November. These are challenging times for free-market ideas. However, taking a long-term view, the prospects for free-market ideas look more auspicious, as the work of Professor Deirdre McCloskey, who was celebrated by IBL on this occasion, demonstrates.

 

In her trilogy ‘The Bourgeois Era’ Professor McCloskey clarifies the causes of a veritable “miracle” that first occurred in Europe some two centuries ago: the beginning of an unprecedented increase in wealth, to the benefit of all. Professor McCloskey repeatedly stresses that it was not the accumulation of wealth or capital, nor the amazing flow of inventions, which on their own unchained humankind and made their lives more dignified and more comfortable. Rather, it was a new respect and appreciation shown by people and institutions from the beginning of the 17^th century towards values characteristic of the bourgeoisie, such as hard work, thrift and creativity.

 

The message of Professor McCloskey, recipient of the 2016 IBL Award, is fundamentally an optimistic one. It is a message of confidence in human talent, the ethics of free exchange in its etymological meaning, and the power of ideas. It is a reassuring message at a time when the ‘bourgeois’ virtues are under attack. Professor McCloskey offers hope and guidance for all who believe in human progress and a future that enables individuals to fulfil their highest potential.

 

 

 

EPICENTER publications and contributions from our member think tanks are designed to promote the discussion of economic issues and the role of markets in solving economic and social problems. As with all EPICENTER publications, the views expressed here are those of the author and not EPICENTER or its member think tanks (which have no corporate view).