In a recent piece American Enterprise Institute President and economist Arthur Brooks tackles what might be the definitive political battle of our times: the case for free enterprise. Brooks explains why free enterprise matters to the United States because it allows Americans to pursue their dreams, earn their success and be rewarded for their hard work.

"…the secret to the pursuit of happiness is earning our own success; creating value with our lives and in the lives of others. This earned success is the fruit of hard work and just rewards in a system built on merit. Only in a free enterprise system is effort and innovation rewarded over connections and predation." (full text here)

Arthur Brooks is the President of the American Enterprise Institute and author of the forthcoming book The Road to Freedom (Basic Books: May, 2012).