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Centre for Independent Studies

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The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian libertarian think tank. It was founded in April 1976 by Executive Director Greg Lindsay.[1] The CIS focuses on libertarian issues such as free market economics and reducing the size and scope of government. The CIS is endowed by donations, membership subscriptions and book and event sales.

Philosophy

The Centre favours a "free enterprise economy and a free society under limited government where individuals can prosper and fully develop their talents".[2] Many CIS scholars are self-described classical liberals. As classical liberalism is often critical of government intervention in the economy and personal life, the Centre does not accept government funding out of principle. Instead, the CIS is funded by private sector donations from individuals, companies and charitable trusts.[3]

CIS scholars are often in conflict with other think tanks and welfare bodies, particularly those it considers centrist and left-wing, such as the Per Capita, The Australia Institute, the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, The Smith Family and the Australian Council of Social Service.

Research Programs

The CIS has research programs on:[4]

  • Social Policy (Welfare, Education, Population, Health, Indigenous Affairs)
  • Economic Policy (Tax Policy, Infrastructure, Workplace reform, government spending)
  • Foreign Policy (Foreign Aid, Asia-Pacific)
  • Government and Politics (Federalism)
  • Law (Property Rights, Civil Liberties, Free Speech)
  • Ideas on Liberty

Most policy research focuses upon the role of the free market in an open society, and how voluntary processes could be used to provide many of the goods and services normally supplied by the compulsory methods of government. Individual liberty and choice, including freedom of association, religion, speech and the right to property are also common themes.

Media

CIS researchers regularly comment in opinion pieces in Australian Newspapers,[5] online,[6] on radio[7] and on TV, with content mirrored on their youtube channel.[8]

The CIS also has a weekly newsletter ideas@thecentre [9]

Events

The CIS runs a range of events, including lectures and seminars[10]

  • John Bonython (annual)
  • Acton Lecture on Religion and Freedom (annual)
  • CIS Lectures (livestreamed and available on Youtube online at CISaus)
  • Meet the Researchers
  • Consilium annual conference for leading policy makers and thinkers
  • Liberty and Society annual conference for students and recent graduates

Staff

The CIS has a large number of research staff:[11]

  • Greg Lindsay, Executive Director
  • Andrew Baker, Policy Analyst, Social Foundations Program
  • Jessica Brown, Visiting Fellow
  • Jennifer Buckingham, Research Fellow, Social Foundations Program
  • Robert Carling, Senior Fellow, Economics Program
  • Simon Cowan, Research Fellow, Economics Program
  • Eric Crampton, Visiting Fellow, New Zealand Policy Unit
  • Oliver Marc Hartwich, Adjunct Scholar
  • Benjamin Herscovitch, Policy Analyst, Social Foundations Program
  • Geoff Hogbin, Senior Fellow, Economics Program
  • Helen Hughes, Senior Fellow, Economics and Foreign Affairs Program
  • Stephen Kirchner, Research Fellow, Economics Program
  • Peter Kurti, Research Fellow, Religion and the Free Society Program
  • John Lee, Visiting Fellow, Foreign Policy
  • Barry Maley, Senior Fellow, Social Foundations Program
  • Alexander Philipatos, Policy Analyst, Economics Program
  • Peter Saunders, Senior Fellow, Social Foundations Program
  • Steven Schwartz, Senior Fellow

References

  1. ^ "About CIS".
  2. ^ "About Us". Centre for Independent Studies. Retrieved August 19, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Support CIS".
  4. ^ "CIS Research Programs".
  5. ^ "CIS Opinion Pieces".
  6. ^ "CIS media information".
  7. ^ "CIS Audio".
  8. ^ "CISAus Youtube page". Youtube.
  9. ^ "Ideas@TheCentre".
  10. ^ "CIS events".
  11. ^ "CIS Research Scholars".

Examples of Publications

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