Competitive Enterprise Institute

Competitive Enterprise Institute is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., founded by Fred L. Smith Jr. in 1984. The organization is known for its libertarian and free market views, and has been involved in various policy debates on issues such as climate change, regulatory reform, and taxation policy. The institute has been associated with prominent figures such as Ronald Reagan, Milton Friedman, and Margaret Thatcher, and has worked with organizations like the Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation, and American Enterprise Institute. The institute's work has been cited by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes, among other publications.

● History

The organization was founded in 1984 by Fred L. Smith Jr., a former staffer at the Heritage Foundation and Jude Wanniski, a supply-side economics advocate. The institute's early work focused on issues such as deregulation, tax reform, and free trade, and it quickly gained a reputation as a prominent voice in Washington, D.C.'s policy community. The institute has been influenced by the work of Friedrich Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, and Ayn Rand, and has collaborated with organizations such as the Institute for Humane Studies, Foundation for Economic Education, and Libertarian Party (United States). The institute's history has been marked by notable events such as the Reagan Revolution, the Contract with America, and the Tea Party movement, and it has worked with prominent politicians such as Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, and Rand Paul.

● Mission and Activities

The organization's mission is to promote free market principles and limited government through research, advocacy, and education. The institute's activities include publishing research papers and policy briefs on issues such as energy policy, environmental policy, and healthcare reform, as well as hosting conferences and seminars featuring prominent speakers such as Thomas Sowell, Walter E. Williams, and Arthur Laffer. The institute also engages in litigation and regulatory commentary, and has filed amicus briefs in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, including Citizens United v. FEC and NFIB v. Sebelius. The institute's work has been recognized by organizations such as the National Association of Scholars, American Legislative Exchange Council, and State Policy Network, and it has collaborated with think tanks such as the Manhattan Institute, Pacific Research Institute, and Reason Foundation.

● Policy Positions

The organization has taken positions on a range of policy issues, including climate change, energy policy, and regulatory reform. The institute has been a prominent critic of climate change mitigation policies, and has argued that they would have negative economic consequences, citing the work of Bjorn Lomborg and Richard Lindzen. The institute has also advocated for deregulation in industries such as finance and healthcare, and has supported tax reform efforts such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The institute's policy positions have been influenced by the work of Milton Friedman, Gary Becker, and George Stigler, and it has collaborated with organizations such as the National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Tax Reform, and Club for Growth.

● Criticisms and Controversies

The organization has faced criticism and controversy over its policy positions and activities, particularly with regard to its views on climate change. The institute has been accused of promoting climate change denial and disinformation, and has been criticized by organizations such as the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Union of Concerned Scientists. The institute has also faced criticism over its funding sources, including its receipt of funding from ExxonMobil and Koch Industries, and has been accused of promoting the interests of its donors rather than the public interest, citing the work of Jane Mayer and Naomi Klein. The institute has responded to these criticisms by arguing that its policy positions are based on sound economics and science, and that it is committed to promoting transparency and accountability in government and regulation.

● Notable People

The organization has been led by a number of notable figures, including Fred L. Smith Jr., Christopher C. Horner, and Myron Ebell. The institute's staff and board have included prominent economists, lawyers, and policy analysts, such as Thomas Firey, Ryan Young, and Iain Murray. The institute has also been associated with prominent politicians and public figures, including Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Newt Gingrich, and has collaborated with think tanks such as the Cato Institute, Heritage Foundation, and American Enterprise Institute.

● Funding

The organization is funded by a variety of sources, including foundations, corporations, and individual donors. The institute has received funding from organizations such as the Koch Family Foundations, ExxonMobil, and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and has also received support from conservative and libertarian foundations such as the Scaife Foundations and Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. The institute has been transparent about its funding sources, and has argued that its funding does not influence its policy positions, citing the work of Jonah Goldberg and Stephen Moore. The institute's funding has been recognized by organizations such as the National Association of Scholars, American Legislative Exchange Council, and State Policy Network, and it has collaborated with think tanks such as the Manhattan Institute, Pacific Research Institute, and Reason Foundation.

Category:Think tanks based in the United States