Don Quijote, Man of Free Markets

Economists from the Austrian School have long argued that the free-market mindset traces its origins back to the early modern period, especially the ideas of the neo-scholastic thinkers of 16th and 17th century Spain, known as the School of Salamanca. Miguel de Cervantes was familiar with the School, and incorporated five core free-market ideas into his book, the world's first modern novel: Don Quijote.