2010 Friedman Prize Student Contest

The Cato On Campus essay contest for tickets to the 2010 Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty dinner and reception concluded this past week.  There were many great submissions, and the selection process was a difficult one. 

Students from around the world participated in the event.  Topics ranged from Russian labor camp dissidents to U.S. politician Ron Paul, from economics professors to space exploration, from free markets in charity to an individualist psychiatrist.  A common thread that ran throughout all of the entries was entrepreneurial spirit and a unwavering value of individual liberty. 

Ultimately, three submissions stood out among the rest.  Yasmin Green, Liya Palagashvili, and Joseph Hammond wrote essays that highlighted a diverse mix of people who have exemplified the spirit of liberty in their words and actions - including a D.C.-area economics professor, a African scholar and social entrepreneur, and a community of nameless Iranian protesters. 

The caliber of essays submitted was excellent across the board, and the selection process was not weighted by the accomplishments of the nominees alone.  The winning submissions exemplified liberty advancement, creativity, and strong writing. 

Yasmin Green, an International Studies M.A. student at St. John Fisher College, wrote about George Ayittey, who is an advocate of liberty through social entrepreneurship in Africa.  "A man who believes that ‘Africa is poor because she is not free,' Ayittey has worked to promote ideas and institutions that are consistent with the achievement of liberty, and individual rights." 

Emphasizing how Ayittey transformed his ideas into action, Ms. Green concluded that, "Ayittey's life work has involved promoting ideas that will remind the global community that Africa and prosperity need not be mutually exclusive." 

Joseph Hammond, a Middle East History M.A. student from California State University - Long Beach, highlighted the heart-felt expressions by the countless masses who championed liberty in the midst of oppression in Iran following controversial and un-free elections in 2009.  Mr. Hammond advocated that the many Iranians who demonstrated their dedication to becoming politically recognized would be a "perfect compliment to Akbar Ganji," the official recipient of the prestigious Cato award. 

"By selecting these individuals - the nameless protesters - we are sending a powerful message of solidarity: while the torch of liberty shines brightest when in the hands of people like Akbar Ganji, Hernando de Soto, and Yon Goicoechea, Peter Lauer and  Maart Laar (former recipients of the Friedman Prize), it is the heart and actions of a collective of everyday individuals that truly nurtures the flame of liberty," said Mr. Hammond.

Liya Palagashvili, an Economics B.S. student at George Mason University, identified economist Peter Boettke as an economist serving in the tradition of Milton Friedman, after whom the biennial Cato Prize is named.  "In the classroom, Dr. Boettke advances his students in the ideas of liberty... Outside of the classroom, Dr. Boettke inspires liberty through his writing," which "is influential in providing a thorough understanding of liberty and the consequences of a nation that violates liberty."

Ms. Palagashvili drew a parallel in her essay between her nominee and a great advocate for liberty, stating that "Dr. Boettke deserves the utmost nomination for advancing liberty through the inspiration found in his teaching and writing - the same inspiration that was so prevalent in Milton Friedman."  Professor Boettke was awarded the Adam Smith Prize by the Association of Private Enterprise Education earlier this year.

The Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty, named in honor of perhaps the greatest champion of liberty in the 20th century, is presented every other year to an individual who has made a significant contribution to advance human freedom. This year's distinguished recipient is Akbar Ganji, an Iranian writer and journalist who spent six years in prison for advocating a secular democracy and exposing government involvement in the assassination of individuals who opposed Iran's theocratic regime.  View the full article describing Ganji's work and accomplishments here.

The Friedman Prize biennial dinner and award presentation will be held at the Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C, on May 13, 2010.  The event boasts some of the most prominent advocates for liberty in the world.  This year, George Will will be delivering the keynote address.  

In addition to the winning submissions, many other applicants featured advocates from around the world who work to advance liberty.  Several of these applicants were awarded Cato books signed by the authors.

Cato Student Programs seeks to identify and provide opportunities for students.  Through the use of contests, research databases, Ask the Expert columns and other exciting programs, Cato Student Programs aims to help you in efforts to promote liberty.  Please visit www.CatoOnCampus.org for the latest on these opportunities.

And again, thanks and congratulations to all of our student contributors and winners!