# Centers of Progress Week 2023 **URL:** **Published:** November 13, 2023 --- A week long examination of the role that centers of progress have played in humanity’s successes throughout history. > Most centers of progress thrive during times of relative social, intellectual, and economic freedom, as well as openness to intercultural exchange and trade. > > > _\- Chelsea Follett_ This week at Libertarianism.org, we’re taking time to reflect on the incredible progress humanity has made over the centuries. It wasn’t long ago that the vast majority of people lived in conditions of abject poverty. Though there’s still much work to be done, some of the worst aspects of the human condition are on the decline and truly astounding advancements in our legal systems, conception of rights, and technological prowess are often taken for granted. Anchoring our examination of this journey from darkness is a new book from managing editor of [Human​Progress​.org](https://humanprogress.org/), Chelsea Follett. Follett’s _Centers of Progress: 40 Cities That Changed the World_ spotlights a diverse range of cities across time and space to answer the question, _where does progress come from?_ As part of _Centers of Progress_ Week, Libertarianism.org will be releasing three new podcast episodes including two _Liberty Exchange_ episodes and a new _Portraits of Liberty_ episode. We’ll offer a range of content throughout the week including articles, blog and social media posts, video content, timely pieces from our archives, and encyclopedia entries to help define terms and concepts. As we enter the Thanksgiving season, we hope we can help you share a little bit of gratitude and optimism with those around the dinner table. This post will be updated daily throughout the week with links to all of the content related to _Centers of Progress_ Week. ## New on Libertarianism.org This Week Introductory Video: [Hope for Hong Kong](https://www.libertarianism.org/videos/hong-kong-progress-asias-world-city) by Landry Ayres _The Liberty Exchange_ Episode 3, [How Cities Can Change the World](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/the-liberty-exchange/how-cities-can-change-the-world) with Paul Meany and Chelsea Follett [Can the Secret to Modern Prosperity be Found in Amsterdam’s Past?](https://www.libertarianism.org/articles/can-secret-modern-prosperity-be-found-amsterdams-past) by Chelsea Follett [Turgot, The First Theory of Progress](https://www.libertarianism.org/articles/turgot-first-theory-progress) by Paul Meany _Portraits of Liberty_ Episode 52, [Citizen Jane: Jane Jacobs](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/portraits-of-liberty/citizen-jane-jane-jacobs) with Paul Meany [Distress in the City: The Hayekian Great Society and Our Atavistic Biases](https://www.libertarianism.org/articles/distress-city-hayekian-great-society-and-our-atavistic-biases) by Grant Babcock _The Liberty Exchange_ Episode 4, [A City Cannot Be a Work of Art: Sanford Ikeda on Jane Jacobs and Spontaneous Complexity](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/the-liberty-exchange/a-city-cannot-be-a-work-of-art-sanford-ikeda-on-jane-jacobs-and-spontaneous-complexity) with Jonathan Fortier and Sanford Ikeda [Xiaogang: How A Village Went Forward While China Went Back](https://www.libertarianism.org/articles/xiaogang-how-village-went-forward-while-china-went-back) by Paul Meany [The Human Meaning of Economic Growth](https://www.libertarianism.org/articles/human-meaning-economic-growth) by Saul Zimet ## From the Archives _The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism_: [Economic Development](https://www.libertarianism.org/development-economic) by Ian Vásquez _The Encyclopedia of Libertarianism_: [Progress](https://www.libertarianism.org/progress-0) by George H. Smith [How Laissez Faire Made Sweden Rich](https://www.libertarianism.org/essays/how-laissez-faire-made-sweden-rich) by Johan Norberg