Think Tanks

A think tank (also called a policy institute) is an organization, institute, corporation, or group that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economy, science or technology issues, industrial or business policies, or military. Think tanks in the United States play an important role in forming both foreign and domestic policy. During the Second World War, think tanks were referred to as "brain boxes" after the slang term for the skull. The phrase "think tank" in wartime American slang referred to rooms in which strategists discussed war planning.

Think tanks have a major impact on public policy, both in Congress and the fifty states. The men and women who staff these independent public policy research organizations are constantly quoted in the news media, and their studies have tremendous influence on policy makers. Think tanks are funded primarily by large businesses and major foundations. They devise and promote policies that shape the lives of everyday Americans.

Think tanks represent a variety of ideological perspectives such as Libertarian's point of views. Cato Institute and another The Buckeye Institute.

Others:
You can find all the think tanks links from Libertarian Party of Ohio's Website

Acton Institute - "For the Study of Religion & Liberty"

Advocates for Self Government - "Our specialty is improving the skills and tools of people who believe in the freedom philosophy so that they can reach opinion leaders."

American Liberty Foundation - "an organization committed to persuasion, conversion, and recruitment — an institution focused on mass-marketing and popularization."

Atlas! PAC - "We founded Atlas! PAC to provide Libertarian affiliates at all levels the practical, nuts-and-bolts support necessary to become an effective force in local politics."

Atlas Economic Research Foundation - "brings freedom to the world by helping develop and strengthen a network of market-oriented think tanks that spans the globe."

Bill of Rights Institute - "seeks to educate high school students and teachers about our country’s Founding principles..."

Bluegrass Institute - "We are an independent, non-partisan association of writers, speakers and thinkers who analyze state and local public policy in Kentucky, and suggest alternatives more in concert with the ideas of our founders: Individual liberty, economic freedom, personal responsibility and a respect for others."

The Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions - " works to improve the lives of all Ohioans through the pursuit of practical and effective market-oriented approaches to public policy."

Cascade Policy Institute - "Cascade Policy Institute was founded in January 1991 as a nonprofit research and educational organization to focus on Oregon state and local issues. The Institute's mission is to explore and advance public policy alternatives that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility, and economic opportunity."

Cato Institute - " The Cato Institute seeks to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to allow consideration of the traditional American principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets and peace."

Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics - "a nonprofit education, law, and policy center working in the public interest to foster freedom of thought."

The Center for the Advancement of Capitalism - "...dedicated to advancing individual rights and economic freedom throughout America."

Citizens for a Sound Economy - "Americans fighting for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom"

Competitive Enterprise Institute - "The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a non-profit public policy organization dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and limited government...We are nationally recognized as a leading voice on a broad range of regulatory issues ranging from environmental laws to antitrust policy to regulatory risk."

Electronic Freedom Foundation - "created to defend our rights to think, speak, and share our ideas, thoughts, and needs using new technologies..."

The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies - "a group of conservatives and libertarians interested in the current state of the legal order."

The Foundation for Economic Education - "FEE's mission [is] to study the moral and intellectual foundation of a free society and to share its knowledge with individuals everywhere."

Fraser Institute - "focuses on the role competitive markets play in providing for the economic and social well-being of all Canadians."

Freedoms Foundation - "dedicated to teaching young people the principles upon which our nation was founded."

Frontiers of Freedom Foundation - "The Constitution's enumerated and limited powers, checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, and guarantee of basic rights are the foundation of America's freedom."

Future of Freedom Foundation - "The mission of The Future of Freedom Foundation is to advance the libertarian philosophy by providing an uncompromising moral and economic case for individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government."

The Goldwater Institute - "based on the principles championed by the late Senator Barry Goldwater during his years of public service—limited government, economic freedom and individual responsibility."

Heartland Institute - "Heartland's mission is to help build social movements in support of ideas that empower people."

The Heritage Foundation - " [our] mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."

Hoover Institution - "seeks to secure and safeguard peace, improve the human condition, and limit government intrusion into the lives of individuals."

Hudson Institute - "We demonstrate commitment to free markets and individual responsibility"

The Independent Institute - "the Institute’s program adheres to the highest standards of independent scholarly inquiry...without regard to any political or social biases."

Institute for Contemporary Studies - "believes that men and women who control their lives through self-governing institutions live more productive lives."

Institute for Humane Studies - "a unique organization that assists undergraduate and graduate students worldwide with an interest in individual liberty."

Institute for Justice - A civil liberties law firm. "Our vision is one of individual initiative and opportunity, not group rights and entitlements."

Institute for Policy Inovation - "focus[es] on approaches to governing that harness the strengths of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets."

Institute of Economic Affairs - The United Kingdom's original free-market think-tank
International Society for Individual Liberty - "an association of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a free and peaceful world, respect for individual rights and liberties, and an open and competitive economic system based on voluntary exchange and free trade."

The Jefferson School - "The intellectual voice of capitalism on the Internet."

Libertarian Nation Foundation - "to advance the day when coercive institutions of government can be replaced by voluntary institutions of civil mutual consent"

The Liberty Fund - "a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals."

The Locke Institute - "seeks to promote a greater understanding of natural rights, its implications for constitutional democracy and for modern society's economic organization."

Ludwig von Mises Institute - "The Ludwig von Mises Institute is the research and educational center of classical liberalism and the Austrian School of economics."

Mackinac Center for Public Policy - "We look forward to the day when the myths and fears of free-market capitalism are dispelled, along with the misplaced faith in a benevolent, omnipotent state."

Manhattan Institute - "a think tank whose mission is to develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility."

Mercatus Center - "The premier university source for market-based ideas"

National Center for Policy Analysis - " [our] goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector."

The National Center for Public Policy Research - "a communications and research foundation dedicated to providing free market solutions to today's public policy problems."

The National Security Archive - "collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)."

Pacific Research Institute - "promotes individual freedom and personal responsibility. "

The Progress & Freedom Foundation - "a market-oriented think tank... with a particular focus on communications, computing and telecommunications."

Public Interest Institute - "promotes the importance of a free-enterprise economic system and limited government in society based upon individual freedom and liberty."

Reason Foundation - "Reason Foundation is a national research and educational organization that explores and promotes the twin values of rationality and freedom as a basic underpinning of a good society."

Southeastern Legal Foundation - "advocates limited government, individual economic freedom, and the free enterprise system in the courts of law and public opinion."



Links to various Think Tanks:
OMB Watch
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
Governmental Research Association
Center for Public Integrity
Buckeye Institute
Economic Policy Institute
Ethics and Public Policy Center
Center for Equal Opportunity
Cato Insitute