Tag Archives: Think Tanks

Think Tank Profile: Adam Smith Institute

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Founded in 1977, the Adam Smith Institute quickly established itself as one of the UK’s foremost economic think-tanks and a leader in promoting free market economics. Named after the famous Scottish economist and headquartered in Westminster, the ASI rose to prominence in the 1980s pioneering the principles of privatization, contracting out, tax reduction and internal markets in health and education. Today, as a non-partisan and non-profit organization led by Dr Madsen Pirie and Dr Eamonn Butler, the ASI focuses on promoting economic and social policies through online reports and briefings, monthly meetings, and annual conferences.

In 2009 the ASI unveiled of the first major public monument to its namesake Dr Adam Smith in Edinburgh. Placed fittingly in a historic and ancient marketplace, the ten foot bronze statue set on stone now sits at the center of the city where Smith worked and died. Known as the “father of economics,” Smith published the groundbreaking economic treatise The Wealth of Nations in 1776. The monument rightly commemorates the great Scottish philosopher, economist, and author who contributed greatly to the studies of society and economics.

The ASI encourages students to become involved both as subscribers and as participants in their regular meetings through The Next Generation, the Institute’s organization for student involvement. The Next Generation meets on the first Tuesday of each month to hear from speakers. Recent speakers have included the Rt Hon Michael Howard QC MP, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, and Bill Emmott (former Editor of The Economist).

Twice a year the ASI also hosts the Independent Seminar on the Open Society which students can attend and participate in. The conference is limited to 200 students and presents political and economic material consistent with A-level and AS-level studies, which challenges students to grow in their understanding of the issues. Politicians across the political divide as well as think-tankers, economists, and national media personalities both talk and are quizzed by students.

Beyond hosting conferences, the website for the Adam Smith Institute provides a wealth of economic and political resources. Publications include downloadable PDF files, briefings, and think pieces on topics such as fair trade, welfare, privatization, civil liberties, the NHS, the flat tax rate, and healthcare reform. It also provides profiles of leading economic thinkers such as Adam Smith, Friedrich von Hayek, and Milton Friedman to give students an introduction and understanding of these brilliant economic minds.

For more information, please visit:

Website: http://www.adamsmith.org/
Blog: http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/
The Next Generation: http://www.adamsmith.org/the-next-generation/ 
Tax Freedom Day: http://www.adamsmith.org/tax-freedom-day/ 
Publications: http://www.adamsmith.org/publications/
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7222 4995
Email: info@adamsmith.org
Address: Adam Smith Institute, 23 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BL

YBF Think Tank Career Development Workshop

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The next YBF Conservative Career Workshop is next Wednesday 11th January 2012

The event will be held at 55 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QL from 5:30pm – 7pm and tickets are completely free thanks to the generosity of our donors.

For free tickets please click here

Focusing on the world of think tanks, the event will be hosted by:

Matthew Elliott

Matthew is the Chief Executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance and Big Brother Watch. Matthew launched the Taxpayers’ Alliance in 2004 as a non-partisan grassroots campaign for lower taxes and better public spending. Under his leadership, the TPA has grown to become “arguably the most influential pressure group in the country” according to the Guardian, with over 60,000 supporters, 15 full-time campaigners and a huge media profile. He also founded Big Brother Watch in 2009 to campaign for civil and personal liberties.

From September 2010 to May 2011 Matthew took a sabbatical from the TPA to lead the NO to AV campaign in the nationwide referendum on changing Britain’s electoral system. The NO campaign won by a spectacular margin of over two to one.

Speakers during the event will include:

Alex Deane

Alex was Prime Minister David Cameron’s first Chief of Staff. Following this, he was the founding director of Big Brother Watch, the civil liberties think tank. Alex read English Literature at Cambridge University and took a Masters degree in International Relations as a Rotary Scholar at Griffith University. A World Universities Debating Champion, Alex is now Head of Public Affairs for Weber Shandwick.

Stephanie Lis

Stephanie is the Campaign Manager of The Freedom Association, Britain’s premier libertarian pressure group. She started working for TFA as an intern in early 2011 before being promoted to her current role. Stephanie read history at Nottingham University before completing her masters at LSE.

Raheem Kassam

Raheem is the Executive Editor of the acclaimed political website The Commentator as well as Director of Campaigns at The Henry Jackson Society and Director of the counter-extremism pressure group Student Rights.


Ben Harris-Quinney

Ben is the chairman of the Bow Group. He holds an MSc in International Relations from LSE. Ben has been involved in politics and international relations for more than 10 years, having worked on foreign policy issues for the Conservative Party in both the UK and European Parliaments.

Conservative Movement Profile: The Adam Smith Institute

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Founded in 1977, the Adam Smith Institute quickly established itself as one of the UK’s foremost economic think-tanks and a leader in promoting free market economics. Named after the famous Scottish economist and headquartered in Westminster, the ASI rose to prominence in the 1980s pioneering the principles of privatization, contracting out, tax reduction and internal markets in health and education. Today, as a non-partisan and non-profit organization led by Dr Madsen Pirie and Dr Eamonn Butler, the ASI focuses on promoting economic and social policies through online reports and briefings, monthly meetings, and annual conferences. Continue reading →

Conservative Movement Profile: The Institute of Economic Affairs

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The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is the UK’s first original free-market think tank.  A registered educational and research charity based in London, the IEA was first conceived after founder Antony Fisher read a summary of F.A. Hayek’s Road to Serfdom in an issue of Reader’s Digest.  After speaking with Hayek, who advised him to avoid politics in favor of intellectuals, and publishing his own book, The Case for Freedom,  the IEA was born with Fisher as director in 1955. 

Today the mission of the IEA remains what is first was: “to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analyzing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.”

To this end, the IEA conducts highly principled research and publishing of books and a quarterly journal on such topics as Development, Economic Theory, Education, Environment and Transport, Ethics, The European Union, Fiscal Policy, Industry and Privatization, International Policy, Labour, Monetary Policy, Regulation, Trade and Welfare.  While most of the authors are commissioned, some IEA staff does research and writing as well. IEA publications are distributed and sold throughout the world and have been reprinted and translated into over twenty five languages. 

The IEA also hosts conferences, seminars, lectures, and working lunches and discussion of its themes.  Recent events have included the book launch “Good Money” and discussion, “Getting To Grips With Public Sector Pensions,” and “Economic Issues for Christians in the Modern World.”

The student outreach programme is another way the IAE works to accomplish its mission.  While many of IEA’s books are mandatory reading at universities and colleges, the IEA often holds special seminars and lectures for students in Westminster. Furthermore, scholarship money is available for the annual Political Economy Conference and Annual State of the Economy Conference so that students and teachers go can free of charge. There are also events for post-graduate students, and the annual Student Essay Competition for students under the ages of 18.   

Home: http://www.iea.org.uk/index.jsp

IAE Journal: http://www.iea.org.uk/browse.jsp?type=economicAffairs&pageID=61

Conservative Movement Profile: Conservative History Group

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Founded in 2002, the Conservative History Group is dedicated to promoting debate, knowledge, discussion, and understanding of the Conservative Party’s origins and history.  The Group hosts regular meeting featuring prominent Conservative speakers as well as publishes articles and a blog focused on Conservative figures. 

Recent meetings included Simon Heffer and Nicholas Hillman speaking on “Rivers of Blood: 40 Years On” and Fion Hague speaking on “Lloyd George and His Women” in the Thatcher Room of the Portcullis House.  In April, David Davis MP delivered “The Wilberforce Lecture” to the Group.

The Group also publishes the Conservative Home Journal, a bi-annual publication with articles, interviews, and book reviews on major and lesser well known Conservative figures.  Recent publications have included an Interview with John Charmley, an article by Helen Szamuely titled “What are we to make of Sir Edward Heath?” and an article by Scott Kelly titled “Guilty Men & the 1945 Election.”

To join the Conservative History Group and become a member, which comes with a subscription to the journal, simply send a cheque for £15 to:

Conservative History Group
PO Box 279
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN2 4WJ

 A separate subscription to the Journal is 15 per annum, or the Journals can be ordered separately on their website. 

For more information, please see:

Home: http://www.conservativehistory.org.uk/index.html

Publications: http://www.conservativehistory.org.uk/publications.html

Membership: http://www.conservativehistory.org.uk/membership.html

Blog: www.conservativehistory.blogspot.com

Conservative Movement Profile: The Campaign Against Political Correctness

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campaign-against-political-correctnessThe Campaign Against Political Correctness is a web-based organization committed to revealing the irrational lengths to which the government goes in the name of political correctness. Citing such examples as the prohibition of children celebrating Christmas in school lest it offend another child, founders John and Laura Midgeley, started their London based non-partisan organization to combat the harms they saw inflicted on society in the name of political correctness and to promote a more reasonable approach to society.600px-No_Political_Correctness.svg

John and Laura Midgeley appear on tv shows and talk radio, such as as ITV’s This Morning and the BBC Radio to present their material. Their website also features an anti-PC petition to sign, and how to receive an info pack or become a member and support the campaign.

Links to top news stories of political correctness are filed under the headers of “Recent,” “Ridiculous,” and “Damaging” on their website, providing evidence of the irrational course of advocates of a politically correct society are taking Britain.

The website also provides links to books and literature on the origins, tenets, and flaws of political correctness as well as the famous “Politically Correct Scrapbooks.”

Conservative Movement Profile: The America’s Future Foundation

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The America’s Future Foundation is a D.C. based non-profit organization committed to identifying and training conservative and libertarian professionals in their 20’s and 30’s. Recognizing that the activism of young professionals is essential for the continuation of conservative and libertarian principles, the organization’s vision is to teach the principles of a free society and offer professional training for young professionals. Led by Executive Director David Kirby, the Foundation recently launched chapters in Chicago and Denver, expanding their influence beyond D.C. and further West.

AFF presents young professional with a wealth of policy, career, and cultural resources. The Foundation’s primary focus is to train effectual leaders to govern, publish, strategize, debate, and learn. In this goal it recognizes three theories of leadership that are integral to effective leadership development: experience, example, and knowledge.

To this end AFF hosts monthly Roundtable events on current political and cultural issues where young professionals can participate as panelists or audience members, both serving to educate as well as allow participants to gain experience in debate and have a little fun. The Foundation also holds monthly happy hour, social, and networking events. In June AFF was proud to host author Gene Healy as a happy hour speaker at Rocket Bar in Chinatown.

In light of the coming election, the Foundation has launched “AFF On the Road” which holds events in major campaign cities following the 2008 campaign trail. A recent pre-convention debate in Minneapolis, Minnesota hosted Jeff Larson, CEO of the Minneapolis St. Paul 2008 Host Committee for the 2008 Republican convention and author of “Elephant in the Room: Evangelicals, Libertarians and the Battle to Control the Republican Party”.

The Foundation also facilitates cultural events though AFF Underground which offers the best of D.C. happenings. AFF Underground encourages talent and provides cultural experience by organizing groups to attend theater, music, film, dance, and other events around the capital city going “beyond- or beneath- politics.” Participants recently saw “Avenue Q” and last summer AFF hosted a film screening for the American Film Renaissance Festival.

Beyond facilitating events, the Foundation’s website has a lot to offer such as articles, podcasts, links and resources for young professionals. The Job Board provides job listing in prestigious organizations such as the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Washington Legal Foundation.

For those interested in articles on politics, culture, books, arts, and science the Foundation publishes Doublethink. Doublethink features articles, podcasts, and links to blogs. Interested in writing? Doublethink also accepts pieces for publication, with instructions for submitting work given on the website.

For more information, please see:

Home: http://www.americasfuture.org/index.php

Events: http://www.americasfuture.org/room101/

Networking Events: http://www.americasfuture.org/events-archive/affarch-hh.php

On the Road: http://www.americasfuture.org/events-archive/affarch-hh.php

Conservative Movement Profile: The American Enterprise Institute

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The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) is one of the most influential conservative and neo-conservative think-tanks in Washington D.C. Founded in 1943 and gaining reputation in the 1970’s and 80’s, the Institute emerged to prominence with a clear vision for advancing the principles of free enterprise capitalism, limited government, private enterprise, and individual responsibility.

Once praised by President Ronald Reagan who said “[no think tank] has been more influential than the American Enterprise Institute,” today AEI is led by President Christopher DeMuth as a private, non-partisan, and not-for-profit organization. The Institute’s impressive list of fellows include notable and influential political figures John Bolton, Lynne Cheney, Newt Gingrich, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Frederick W. Kagan, Michael Novak, Paul Wolfowitz, and Leon D. Kass.

AEI is located in Washington, DC with a staff of 190 resident and visiting scholars and fellows, research and administrative assistants, editorial and conference staff and others. The Institute publishes the research of its resident and visiting scholars in short publications, monographs, and books from its AEI Press. Beyond written publications, the Institute also hosts events such as book forums and panel discussions that are open to the public and often daily or week.

Recent events include “Can Consumers Save Medicare,” “From Brown to ‘Bong Hits’: Assesssing Half a Century of Judicial Involvement in Education” and Session Eight of the series “AEI Election Watch 2008.”

Beyond in-house events and speakers, the Institute provides a broad and deep amount of research accessible on their website. Short publications include papers, speeches, co-ops, newsletters, and government testimony on all research topics including government, economics, social welfare, and politics. Also offered are podcasts, webcasts, and video and transcripts of conferences and events.

Students looking for internships should be aware of AEI’s competitive, highly selective, but very rewarding internship program. Rated by the Princeton Review, Random House Guide to Internships, and Vault Guide to Internships as one of the top 100 internships in America, the program places students with renowned scholars, economists, and policy figures to gain experience in areas of policy, research, and publishing.

For more information, please see:

Home: http://www.aei.org/default.asp?filter=all

Events: http://www.aei.org/events/filter.all/events.asp

Short Publications: http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all/pub_listing.asp

Conservative Movement Profile: The Africa Research Institute

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The Africa Research Institute was founded in 2007 under the leadership of Director Mark Ashurst, a journalist with broad experience in Africa. A registered charity based in London, the ARI was founded on a grant from Richard Smith, and industrialist with an interest in the “land of energy and optimism,” he sees in Africa. He continues to lead the ARI as a trustee, along with Howard Flight, a previous Member of Parliament and Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

Noting a lack of understanding of both the continent of Africa and African public policy among Western nations, the trustees adopted a mission committed to finding solutions of “creativity and pragmatism” for African problems, while avoiding the outsider Victorian-era philanthropy that has marked so many charitable approaches. Rather, the Institute strives to find new ways of thinking and create innovative solutions to Africa’s economic issues.

In order to achieve this goal, the Institute actively analyzes and reports on current policy. It recently published a study on Malawi’s voucher based input subsidy program titled “How Fertilizer Subsidies are Working in Malawi” in March of this year. By analyzing areas of improvement and comparing Malawi’s program to international developments, the piece seeks to formulate and recommend stronger and more effective policy be put in place in Malawi.

Website: http://www.africaresearchinstitute.org/.
Address: 43 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9JA