Why do monarchies correlate with higher economic freedom?

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Constitutional monarchies are linked to higher economic freedom scores, with the 2017 Index showing a strong overlap across countries
IDEAS founding president Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz said that the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom found nine out of 20 countries with the highest economic freedom scores that have a monarchy system. He also pointed to studies and statistics suggesting that people in countries with monarchies tend to live in peace, enjoy more freedom, and experience greater stability than countries without monarchies. In his view, constitutional monarchy systems have continued to develop in places such as Morocco and Jordan even when neighbouring countries faced crises and insecurity.
The 2017 Index of Economic Freedom shows a concentration of monarchies among the top performers
The claim rests on the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom, where nine of the top 20 countries by score were described as having a monarchy system. This overlap is used to argue that monarchies correlate with higher economic freedom outcomes in the way the index measures them. The statement ties the correlation to broad country-level patterns rather than a single policy change.
Studies cited connect monarchy systems with peace, more freedom, and stability
Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin said studies and statistics have shown that people in countries that maintain the monarchy system live in peace, enjoy more freedom, and are more stable than those without monarchy systems. In that framing, the association between monarchy and higher economic freedom is presented as part of a wider environment of stability and personal freedom. The link is described as observational, based on comparative country experience.
Constitutional monarchies in Morocco and Jordan are highlighted as examples amid regional crises
He cited the development of constitutional monarchy systems in Morocco and Jordan, describing them as remaining stable even though neighbouring countries were in crisis and unsafe. The examples are used to support the idea that constitutional monarchy can persist alongside conditions of regional instability. The key point presented is continuity of stability in those monarchies rather than a specific economic reform.
Other factors could also shape both monarchy presence and economic freedom outcomes
The material does not provide a breakdown of other variables that could influence both the existence of a monarchy and measured economic freedom, such as broader governance structures, legal frameworks, or historical development paths. It also does not quantify how much of the economic freedom score difference is attributable to monarchy itself versus these other conditions. As a result, the correlation described is strongest as an empirical overlap, while the specific mechanisms are discussed only in general terms of peace, freedom, and stability.

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Why do monarchies correlate with higher economic freedom?

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