# Open Societies \& Human Progress

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/open-societies-human-progress>

**By** Johan Norberg, Aaron Ross Powell, Trevor Burrus

**Published:** January 8, 2021

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Johan Norberg joins the show to talk about the the importance of humanity’s embrace of openness.

## Summary:

The freedom to explore and exchange - whether it’s goods, ideas or people - has led to stunning achievements in science, technology and culture. As a result, we live at a time of unprecedented wealth and opportunity. So why are we so intent on ruining it? Johan Norberg explores these ideas and more throughout this episode.

How new is openness? Were early civilizations open? How do open societies progress faster than closed?

## Further Reading:

[Open: The Story of Human Progress](https://www.amazon.com/Open-Story-Progress-Johan-Norberg/dp/1786497182), written by Johan Norberg