Economics at the Center of Arab Spring Ground Zero by Roger Brown

In early 2011, the Arab Spring quickly ignited in Tunisia, and within weeks its fires had spread to almost every nation in the Arab World. As massive demonstrations and conflicts ignited in city after city, Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto realized that he was witnessing what was perhaps the most important event of his lifetime. One question dominated his thoughts: Exactly why would the suicide-by-fire of Mohamed Bouazizi, and insignificant fruit peddler in a dusty backwater Tunisian town, resonate so strongly that the reaction would topple four governments?

He immediately sent a research team to Tunisia and other North African countries to find out. Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD) researchers worked in the streets and souks of North Africa for months. To their great surprise, they learned that there had been dozens of similar suicides by small entrepreneurs and businessmen across the region.

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The latest release of Unlikely Heroes of the Arab Spring from Free To Choose Network is coming to your area!

Dear Friend of Free To Choose Network: The latest release from Free To Choose Network is coming to your area! Unlikely Heroes of the Arab Spring is a one-hour documentary examining recent events in the Middle East through the prism of economics and property rights, a perspective not often considered in traditional media outlets. Beginning with a dramatic act by a young street vendor in Tunisia, we watch as governments are toppled and a spontaneous order of informal markets holds the region together in a tenuous stability.   Seattle KCTS 9/HD Tues 4/29/2014 1:00 AM PT Yakima KYVE 47/HD Tues 4/29/2014 …

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Unlikely Heroes of the Arab Spring – broadcasts this week!

  This week, Unlikely Heroes of the Arab Spring will be broadcast in the following markets/channels: MI University Center WDCQ Ch 19.2 19.2 Tues 2/4/2014 10:00 PM ET CO Broomfield KBDI Ch 12 12.1 Wed 2/5/2014 8:00 PM MT AZ Tucson KUAT Ch 6.1/HD UA Wed 2/5/2014 2:00 PM MT CA Eureka KEET Ch 13.1  13.1 Fri 2/7/2014 11:30 AM PT Don’t miss your opportunity to catch this program!

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Two Broadcasts from Free To Choose Network!

Kick-off your New Year with not one, but TWO broadcasts from Free To Choose Network! Airdates for Economic Freedom in Action: Changing Lives are at their peak all across the country. This one-hour documentary takes a look at four nations (Slovakia, Zambia, South Korea, and Chile), and the transformation each one is undergoing, thanks to enhanced economic freedoms. (CLICK HERE FOR AIRDATES AND TIMES IN YOUR AREA.) Our newest release, Unlikely Heroes of the Arab Spring examines recent events in the Middle East through the prism of economics and property rights, a perspective not often considered in traditional media outlets. Beginning …

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