Hernando de Soto Polar is a Peruvian economist mostly known for his work on the informal economy  and on the importance of business and property rights. He has written several works on the topics,  including The Mystery of Capital: Why Capitalism Triumphs in the West and Fails Everywhere Else,  which explores the role of property rights in economic development. His ideas have sparked  considerable debate and discussion in the field of Development Economics, and he is known as  a prominent advocate for policies aimed at improving legal frameworks in developing countries.