ASI

Created: 2022-12-28
Status: #soil
Last Edited: 2022-12-28
Topic: politics Think Tanks

What is the Adam Smith Institute?

The Adam Smith Institute (ASI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank based in London, England. Founded in 1977, it is named after the Scottish Enlightenment thinker Adam Smith and is a registered charity. The institute describes itself as "an educational charity that promotes radical free market and classical liberal ideas through research, publishing, media work and education". It advocates for policies based on free markets, individual liberty and responsibility, limited government intervention in the economy, and a strong civil society.

The ASI's mission is to promote economic prosperity through policies that foster economic freedom and competition. The institute publishes a wide range of research papers on topics such as taxation, health care reform, energy policy, education reform, and social welfare reform. Its research supports policies that are designed to increase economic growth and reduce poverty.

The ASI also works to educate the public about economics through its ‘Adam Smith Academy’ which offers courses for both students and professionals. The institute also hosts conferences and seminars throughout the year. In addition to its research activities the ASI works with a number of organisations including government departments and charities to help shape policy decisions.

Who funds them?

The Adam Smith Institute is funded by a variety of sources, including private donations, trusts and foundations, and corporate sponsors. The institute does not accept money from government or political organisations.

Think tank Transparify has rated the ASI as one of the four least transparent Think Tanks in the UK.

The website Who Funds You? gave the ASI their lowest transparency rating in 2002.

Why were they investigated in 2018?

In 2018, the ASI was investigated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales due to allegations of political bias. This investigation was sparked by allegations that the ASI had accepted substantial donations from tobacco companies and that it had produced research papers which were biased in favour of the tobacco industry.

The investigation concluded that the ASI had not breached charity law, but warned that it should be more transparent about its sources of funding and should ensure that research papers were impartial. Following this investigation, the ASI committed to greater transparency and updated its policies regarding research funding.