Freedom House has their index of freedom. Heritage has this index of economic freedom.
http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/countries.cfm
Does anyone have examples of places (any historical period) that have been close to a truly free market and/or libertarian principles? If you have any specific information or links about that place/time, that would be wonderful.
Thanks.
I have not yet read this article by Roderick Long (http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig3/long1.html), but it talks about the Icelandic Free State (930-1262). I’ve heard mention of “ancient iceland” as an example of an almost free society, but don’t know anything about it yet. Also, I’ve heard the current Somalia with their Xeer is significantly successful with “lack” of a government.
Rothbard often brings the Celtic Ireland as an example, especially when talking of courts and defense. The short-discription is available on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_anarchist_communities#Celtic_Ireland_.28650-1650.29