Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  Each year since I became interested in development economics, St. Patty's day has reminded me of the free market revolution that took place in Ireland in the nineties.  Ireland was the poorest economy in Europe then, but by 2006, it had the highest per capita GPD on the continent and economic growth rates of 9 percent or higher.  How did they achieve it?  They massively reduced the size and role of government in their society.  They cut taxes, abolished agencies, cut spending, and stopped inflation.  They moved from one of the least free states in Europe to the freest.