The Road to Freedom: Joseph Stiglitz on Reclaiming Freedom from Neoliberalism

For decades, the dominant narrative of neoliberalism has insisted that free markets, minimal regulation, and unfettered capitalism lead not only to greater prosperity but also greater individual freedom. But whose freedom, exactly? And what happens when one person’s liberty comes at the expense of another’s?

In The Road to Freedom, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz takes on the giants of neoliberal thought—Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, and their ideological successors—to challenge the idea that unregulated markets enhance freedom. Instead, he argues, they concentrate wealth and power in the hands of the few, limit opportunities for the many, and ultimately undermine democracy and social well-being.

Stiglitz explores how neoliberal policies shape not just economies but entire societies, from property rights and corporate power to education, social media, and intellectual property laws. He exposes how the free-market ideology has been used not to expand liberty for all, but to justify the entrenchment of privilege and inequality.

At its core, this book is about rethinking what true freedom means—not just in economic terms, but in the political, legal, and social structures that shape our lives. Stiglitz presents a compelling case for a more inclusive and equitable economic system, one that prioritizes human flourishing over unchecked corporate power.

A bold and necessary re-evaluation of democracy, economics, and justice, The Road to Freedom is both an intellectual critique and a call to action, offering a roadmap for creating a society where freedom is truly shared by all.