The Freeman magazine was the flagship publication of the Foundation for Economic Education and one of the oldest, most respected journals of liberty in America. It was founded in 1950 through the efforts of John Chamberlain, Henry Hazlitt, Isaac Don Levine, and Suzanne La Follette. FEE acquired it in 1956, and within two years it had reached 42,000 subscribers.

Through its articles, commentaries, and book reviews, several generations of Americans have learned about the consequences and contradictions that flow from the illiberal policies of collectivism, interventionism, and the welfare state. For 66 years, The Freeman uncompromisingly defended the ideals of a free society.

FEE announced in September 2016 that the Fall 2016 issue would be the final edition of The Freeman magazine. Selected back issues are available at the FEE Store, and all issues are available here as downloads.

In June 2025, The Freeman was relaunched, but this time for the modern era on Substack. Subscribe for articles on markets, liberty, and culture from the perspective of anti-anti-anti-Communists.

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Unless otherwise noted, and with the exception of John Stossel’s “Give Me a Break!” columns, all works published on FEE.org and FEE.org/freeman are published under a Creative Commons Attribution International License 4.0.

Feel free to share and copy as long as you credit FEE as the source.

Print Issues Archive

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20130220 freemanmarchcoverfinalfront - Home

The Freeman: March 2013 Volume 63, 2013

Focusing on economic sustainability, this edition addresses the effects of deficit financing, the dangers of excessive borrowing, and the principles of prudent financial management.

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The Freeman: April 2013 Volume 63, 2013

This edition delves into the nuances of anarchism in daily life, the dynamics of leaderless enterprises, and the role of private governance in digital transactions. It also critiques government programs that exchange food for votes and examines the economic implications of higher education’s expansion.

20130424 freemanmay13cover600 - Home

The Freeman: May 2013 Volume 63, 2013

Engage with Adrian Bejan’s perspectives on the role of freedom in creative processes, delve into the dynamics of exit versus voice in economic systems, and examine the natural emergence of order within societal customs.

20130529 freemanjune13cover600 - Home

The Freeman: June 2013 Volume 63, 2013

Learn about ambitious plans for urban revitalization in the Belle Isle interview, revisit Thomas Malthus’s theories in a modern context, and analyze how enduring cultural stories influence contemporary values.

20130701 freemanjulyaug13webwhite - Home

The Freeman: July/August 2013 Volume 63, 2013

Analyze the effects of state regulations on economic development, highlighting case studies that illustrate the benefits of minimizing governmental control to encourage entrepreneurial endeavors.

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The Freeman: November 2013 Volume 63, 2013

This issue explores the distortions caused by crony capitalism and how government favoritism undermines free markets. It also discusses the role of civil disobedience in pushing back against regulatory overreach and examines real-world examples of state intervention harming economic progress.

20131202 freemandec13cover600 - Home

The Freeman: December 2013 Volume 63, 2013

Healthcare regulation and bureaucratic barriers to medical access take center stage in this issue, analyzing how state control limits patient choice. Economic concerns, such as the impact of government debt and fiscal mismanagement, are also explored through case studies on spending and taxation.

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The Freeman: January/February 2014 Volume 64, 2014

Explore the paradoxes of human behavior in economics, the potential of digital currencies like Bitcoin, and the debate over universal basic income. This edition delves into visionary ideas and the complexities of voting behavior.

20140219 freemanmarch14coverfrontonly - Home

The Freeman: March 2014 Volume 64, 2014

This issue of The Freeman explores the expanding prison-industrial complex, the failures of government-controlled healthcare, and the economic lessons from Hong Kong’s free-market success.

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The Freeman: April 2014 Volume 64, 2014

Individualism in academia, economic misconceptions, and the misattribution of Adam Smith’s ideas take center stage in this edition. Through interviews and analysis, it challenges prevailing narratives and emphasizes the importance of intellectual and economic freedom.