Can APEC Become a Powerhouse of Freedom?

APEC embodies a form of civilization that must be firmly supported by creativity and morality, rooted in the foundation of freedom. Since the Age of Exploration in the 15th century, creativity has been championed as a driving force behind imperialism, capitalism, and the spirit of adventure. However, the equally vital pillar of morality, grounded in freedom, has not been as widely emphasized or explored in these contexts. Given the disruptions to global supply chains and the humanitarian crises affecting APEC members, it is time to reflect on fundamental elements, such as freedom, to achieve APEC’s goals of sustainable and inclusive growth. With high aspirations, this paper focuses on the relationship between freedom and state power among APEC members for the first time. Despite the challenges posed by geopolitical crises, we find a silver lining. Chile, Korea, and New Zealand stand out as notable examples that demonstrate a positive relationship between freedom and state power in individual regression analyses, although panel data analysis suggests that freedom has not yet served as a collective incentive for ruling groups across APEC member economies. APEC can start serving as a platform to discuss the implications of expanding freedom. We must go beyond trivial incentives.