Hernando de Soto - Oslo Freedom Forum 2010

World renowned economist Hernando de Soto discusses the nexus of terrorism, human rights, democracy, and poverty. He talks about his experiences in Peru in the 1970s and 1980s, when the country fell victim to a very strong terrorist movement called the Shining Path. De Soto himself was under direct threat, since he was responsible for 178 substantial legal reforms that referred to property rights, democracy, and constitutional provisions for freedom, which angered some who resorted to bombing and shootings. De Soto reasons that these dangers were proof that his policies were making an impact. He goes on to explain that democracy is the facilitation of "learning to live with your neighbors," and that makes it crucial. It is also very important that democracy be set up correctly, that it not end at elections, as it does in many third world nations. There must be room for the analysis of policies after they become law, as well as scrutinization of officials after they are elected. De Soto emphasizes the importance of property rights - which directly correlate with human rights. They are, in fact, the same thing: article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to property. The conditions of property rights might be debated, but they must be clearly defined. The poor, de Soto tells us, should not be looked on as mere workers but as people with potential to create wealth.

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Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Hernando de Soto
• Oslo Freedom Forum
• Shining Path
• property rights
• democracy
• human rights
• Peru
• The Other Path
• Mystery of Capital
• economics
• terrorism
• constitutionalism
• poverty