This article illustrates why freedom (as in free speech and freedom to contract) is so important and why a state's attempts to restrict freedom should be vigorously opposed. Without the ability to control speech and restrict free contracts, especially the ability to enforce the use of state-controlled fiat currency, the North Korean government could not stay in power.<p>What is happening in North Korea is an illustration of what policies of control lead to. What's interesting is that most of the people of North Korea, because they don't know any better, don't realize the cause of their poverty.<p>We are in a similar situation with regards to fiat currency here in the west. Although we are not dirt poor like the North Koreans, we are still a lot poorer than we should be because of the huge portion of our economies consumed by government and especially because of fiat currency. Like the North Koreans, most people can't even conceive of a commodity-based, non-government-controlled, free-market currency. As a result, they are blind to the true cause of business cycles and their stagnant purchasing power.<p>The best way to increase wealth is to spread truth.