Adam Smith Institute Ranked

“Adam Smith Institute ranked among top 10 economic think tanks in the world”

“Today, the University of Pennsylvania has released its authoritative Global Go To Think Tanks Report’s rankings of over 6,500 think tanks. The Adam Smith Institute is delighted to be placed 7th in the world for domestic economic policy and 10th for international economic policy.

These rankings place us in the same league as think tanks with budgets a hundred times bigger than ours. They confirm that we make a big difference, are highly cost-effective, and have earned the respect of our peers around the world. We were also named as the think tank with the 18th most significant impact on public policy in the world.

These rankings for 2012 confirm the Adam Smith Institute as one of the world’s leading policy think tanks, effectively fighting for free markets and a free society. 2012 has been an exceptional year and the impact of our work is reflected in our excellent position in the global rankings.

"This is a marvellous endorsement of our young, focused, energetic team, who have outperformed much larger institutions in terms of impact and cost-effectiveness", said Adam Smith Institute Director Dr Eamonn Butler. "I am proud to work alongside them in one of the world's leading policy think tanks."

Comment

This press release from the Adam Smith Institute is a significant report of an assessment by a serious academic institution, the University of Pennsylvania.

The placing of ASI as 7^th for domestic (UK) economic policy and 10^th for international economic policy out of 6,500 think tanks in the world is well deserved. 

Contrary to some views I hear from time to time, ASI is not a nest of warped reactionary ideologues with far out politics.  Anybody reading the ASI ‘Pin Factory Blog’ HERE  for a couple of weeks will find a mixed range of centre-right views of topical interest and short pieces on current economic policies. 

Tim Worstall’s economic contributions are trenchant, clearly written, always punchy, and a delight to read. Sam Bowman (editor) is also on target on political issues of the day.

Eamonn Butler, ASI Director, is an exponent of the rare art of writing informed short pieces on weighty issues and theory, as well as educative short booklets on major figures such as Hayek, and, of course, Adam Smith.  His 84-page “The Condensed Wealth Of Nations and The Incredibly Condensed Theory of Moral Sentiments” (2011) is a masterly piece of intellectual precision and is informative too for “old hands” and those new to Adam Smith.

Of course, I have my occasional criticism of some of the views expressed by ASI writers (most of whom are several decades younger than me) and I do not always agree with all the policies advocated from time to time. 

ASI as a think tank encourages people to think, not to conform.  It is not ideological – disclosure: I am an ASI Fellow – and nobody expects me to conform to a fixed party line because ASI does not have one.

Lost Legacy readers can judge for themselves by reading the “Pin Factory Blog” for a few weeks and by scrolling through previous posts.   The Blog attracts lively readers comments each day.