The Economist is a weekly news and international affairs publication based in London that began continuous publication in 1843. Now, in 2013, for the first time in history, they have decided to nominate a country of the year, based on accomplishments such as path-breaking reforms that do not merely improve a single nation but, if emulated, might benefit

the entire world.

One such border-crossing policy, which has increased the global sum of human happiness at no financial cost, is to pass a law to legalize and regulate the production, sale and consumption of cannabis. This is a change so obviously sensible, squeezing out the crooks and allowing the authorities to concentrate on graver crimes, that no other country has made it. If others followed suit, and other narcotics were included, the damage such drugs wreak on the world would be drastically reduced.

Better yet, the man who heads this country, President José Mujica, is admirably self-effacing. With unusual frankness for a politician, he referred to the new law as an experiment. He lives in a humble cottage, drives himself to work in a Volkswagen Beetle and flies economy class.

Modest yet bold, liberal and fun-loving, Uruguay is The Economist 2013 Country of the Year. ¡Felicitaciones!