Hernando De Soto — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Presidente at Instituto Libertad y Democracia (ILD) since 1980, considered by The Economist as one of the two most important think tanks in the world.
Known for his work on the informal economy and the importance of business and property rights.
Author of "El Misterio del Capital."
Named one of the five leading Latin American innovators of the century by Time magazine (1999) and included among the 100 most influential people in the world (2004).
Ran for the Peruvian presidency in 2021 and served as an advisor to various Peruvian governments, including during the creation of the 1993 Constitution.
Received a master's degree in international law and economics from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva.

Biography

Hernando de Soto Polar is a Peruvian economist and the President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD), headquartered in Lima, Peru, a position he has held since 1980. The ILD is recognized by The Economist as one of the two most important think tanks globally. De Soto is widely known for his extensive work on the informal economy and the critical importance of business and property rights in economic development. He is the author of the book "El Misterio del Capital.