Prague, the Czech Republic

 

The Liberální Institut is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit think tank for the development, dissemination and application of classical liberal ideas and programs based on the principles of classical liberalism. F. A. Hayek Club was founded during the period of the “Velvet Revolution” in the Fall of 1989 and transformed into the Liberální Institut, which became officially registered on February 6th, 1990.

The Liberální Institut’s activities are based on the recognition of the following principles: all men are created equal and are endowed by inalienable rights to life, liberty and property, individual freedom is the foundation of all other values, provided that it is understood as the negative freedom to protect oneself from external aggression, not as a positive freedom to manipulate others, and provided that freedom and the rule of law are inseparable, the individual actor knows best what is in his/her interest (the principle of utilitarian autonomy), freedom is impossible without the institution of private property.

Liberální Institut focuses on three types of activities: education, research, and publication. The LI staff organizes four educational events and two essay contests every year, conducts applied research in five broad areas, and has published more than 70 books since 1990. It has become not only a respectable educational institution and renowned research center but also the biggest publishing house of liberal literature.