The National Gain

Anders Chydenius wrote that freedom of enterprise "allows a Swede to exercise the dearest and greatest right in Nature the Almighty has given him as man, i e . to support himself in the sweat of his brow in whatever way he thinks best." Johan Norberg writes of The National Gain:

Anders Chydenius, a young priest from Österbotten in Finland (then part of Sweden), sat down to write his contribution to an essay contest. The question he would answer was the most important in Sweden at the time: "Why do so many people leave Sweden?" Emigration had increased and was seen as a big problem... The problem[, said Chydenius, ] is the oppressive and corrupt system that makes it impossible for people to stay in Sweden and build a good life there. In detailing all the abuses, regulations, and taxes that destroyed opportunity, Chydenius outlined a radical laissez-faire critique of the Swedish government. He showed that privileges, license requirements, and trade prohibitions protected a small lazy aristocracy and stopped hard-working people from making their own luck. High taxes confiscated whatever they managed to create; a corrupt justice system made it impossible for them to win against the powerful; and restrictions on the press made it illegal for them to complain about it.

Discover here one of the most important writings of Anders Chydenius (1729-1803), who contributed mightily to economic freedom, political freedom, and most importantly Europe's liberal tradition of free speech.