Defence and Peace Economics
Volume 29, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 355-382

Is human trafficking the dark side of economic freedom? (Article)

Heller L.R.* , Lawson R.A. , Murphy R.H. , Williamson C.R.
  • a Berry College, Campbell School of Business, Mount Berry, GA, United States
  • b Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
  • c Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States
  • d Department of Finance and Economics, Mississippi State University, Mississippi StateMS, United States

Abstract

Economic freedom has increased living standards worldwide. Concurrent with such gains are rising concerns about potential human costs associated with free markets. This paper uses data on human trafficking and anti-trafficking policies, in conjunction with a measure of economic freedom, to examine whether free markets exacerbate or attenuate the incidence of human trafficking and policies designed to combat it. We do not find evidence suggesting that economic freedom is associated with human trafficking. In addition, our results suggest that economically free countries are more likely to enact and enforce policies to fight human trafficking. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

Human trafficking anti-trafficking policy modern slavery Economic freedom

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84962045503&doi=10.1080%2f10242694.2016.1160604&partnerID=40&md5=c77a3b79754eaae9d5bc316650d13032
DOI: 10.1080/10242694.2016.1160604
ISSN: 10242694
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English