It is an annual tradition that at the end of each Economic Freedom Network (EFN) Asia Annual Conferences, participants produce a conference resolution -- short, one page, clear and direct -- that summarizes and concludes the two-days activity. I am posting the conference resolutions last year (theme: Competition: Engine for Prosperity, October 11-12, 2011, Kuala Lumpur) and this year (theme: How Welfare Populism Destroys Prosperity, November 6-7, 2012, Hong Kong).
EFN Conference 2011
Statement on Competition and Prosperity
Competition is an essential engine for prosperity. To prosper, all nations should encourage and nurture competition. Competition encourages innovation and creativity.
It motivates producers to make the best offers to consumers, therefore creating lower prices, higher quality products and better services.
The Role of Government
The primary role of the government is to enforce the rule of law, provide impartial judiciary, protect property rights and individual freedom.
Competition is the best regulator; therefore, the government should foster competition rather than restrict it.
Competition in Public Service Delivery
The people will benefit more if the government does not monopolize the delivery of public services.
Competition can be introduced and fostered in the major public services such as education, healthcare, transport, communications, and utilities by diversifying the providers through various form of private participation.
Competition, Economic Freedom and Prosperity
Free market economy is necessary for progress. Empirical evidence shows that open economies are more prosperous.
Competition is a key element in a free market economy.
========
EFN Conference 2012
Statement on Liberal Views on Populism
We
the liberals believe that populism is the promise of state-mandated,
unsustainable benefits to the broader population without consideration of the long-term
costs and benefits. It relies on highly emotive statements. In fact, populism
is counterproductive to general well-being and progress, as illustrated by the
economic decline of the many countries that have pursued populist agendas.
We
are concerned that governments in Asia are turning away from the policies which
have been demonstrated to promote prosperity in many parts of the world.
We
are confident that people will reject populist policies once they understand
the true costs associated with them.
Those
costs include an increasing dependency on the state, weakening the rule of law,
propertyrights and individual freedom. Populism also reduces the ability of
individuals and local communities to make their own decisions, and undermines
the competitiveness of businesses.
Recent
moves in Asia to subsidise food and fuel, and to transfer cash are all examples
of populist policies that have done more harm than good.
We
are confident that if Asia commits itself to liberal values such as property
rights and the rule of law, the region will prosper.
We
commit to:
* Provide
alternative liberal solutions to the real problems that give rise to populism,
and educate about the benefits of liberal policies, using positive language and
examples.
* Provide
public support to politicians, political parties, business groups and other
stakeholders that support liberal solutions.
* Expose
the high costs in terms of money and disastrous end results of such policies
* Educate
politicians and students
* Engage
with the media to educate the public more widely
* Engage
and create strategic alliances with civil society
* Meet
on a regular basis to strengthen our network.
---------More photos during the HK conference.
