Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty
Encyclopedia
The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a conservative
research and educational institution, or think tank
, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
(with an office in Rome, Italy
) whose stated mission is "to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles." Its work supports free market
economic policy framed within Judeo-Christian morality
.
and Kris Alan Mauren. It is named for the English historian, politician, and writer Lord Acton
, who is popularly associated with the dictum "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Sirico and Mauren were concerned that many religious people were ignorant of economic realities, and that many economists and businessmen were insufficiently grounded in religious principles. Sirico explains the essential link between economics and religion with reference to the institute's namesake:
The release in 1991 of the papal encyclical
Centesimus Annus
buoyed the institute at a critical time. The document provided, a year after Acton's founding, established support for the institute's economic personalism and defense of capitalism
. Robert Sirico said at the time that it constituted a "vindication."
In 2002, the Institute opened a Rome office, Istituto Acton, which carries out Acton’s mission abroad. In 2004, the Institute was given the Templeton Freedom Award
for its "extensive body of work on the moral defense of the free market." In 2011, the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
at the University of Pennsylvania
included Acton in its list of the top 50 think tanks in the United States.
, Europa Institut, Austria
, Institute for the Study of Human Dignity and Economic Freedom, Zambia
and Instituto Acton Argentina Organization.
These are independent organisations that share the same values and vission as the Acton Institute. Acton works with these organisations to help spread this shared belief of a free and virtuous society to their countries within their own context.
. The institute's director of research is Samuel Gregg, author of the prize-winning book The Commercial Society. Notable members of the institute's board of directors or board of advisors include Leonard Liggio
, Michael Novak
, and Steve Hanke
.
and the Bradley Foundation
.
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
research and educational institution, or think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
(with an office in Rome, Italy
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
) whose stated mission is "to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles." Its work supports free market
Free market
A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts...
economic policy framed within Judeo-Christian morality
Judeo-Christian
Judeo-Christian is a term used in the United States since the 1940s to refer to standards of ethics said to be held in common by Judaism and Christianity, for example the Ten Commandments...
.
History
The Acton Institute was founded in 1990 in Grand Rapids, Michigan by Robert A. SiricoRobert Sirico
Robert A. Sirico is an American Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty. He is a well-known political and cultural commentator.-Biography:...
and Kris Alan Mauren. It is named for the English historian, politician, and writer Lord Acton
John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton, KCVO, DL , known as Sir John Dalberg-Acton, 8th Bt from 1837 to 1869 and usually referred to simply as Lord Acton, was an English Catholic historian, politician, and writer...
, who is popularly associated with the dictum "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Sirico and Mauren were concerned that many religious people were ignorant of economic realities, and that many economists and businessmen were insufficiently grounded in religious principles. Sirico explains the essential link between economics and religion with reference to the institute's namesake:
The release in 1991 of the papal encyclical
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
Centesimus Annus
Centesimus Annus
Centesimus Annus was an encyclical written by Pope John Paul II in 1991, on the hundredth anniversary of Rerum Novarum...
buoyed the institute at a critical time. The document provided, a year after Acton's founding, established support for the institute's economic personalism and defense of capitalism
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
. Robert Sirico said at the time that it constituted a "vindication."
In 2002, the Institute opened a Rome office, Istituto Acton, which carries out Acton’s mission abroad. In 2004, the Institute was given the Templeton Freedom Award
Templeton Freedom Awards
The Templeton Freedom Awards have been given by the Atlas Economic Research Foundation since 2004 using funding from the John Templeton Foundation. The awards honor work done by free-market think tanks around the world. Two winners are named in each year in each category...
for its "extensive body of work on the moral defense of the free market." In 2011, the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP)
Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program is a non-profit program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. TTCSP was established at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in 1989...
at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
included Acton in its list of the top 50 think tanks in the United States.
International Affiliates
The Acton Institute has built a network of international affiliations including Centro Interdisciplinar de Ética e Economia Personalista, BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Europa Institut, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Institute for the Study of Human Dignity and Economic Freedom, Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
and Instituto Acton Argentina Organization.
These are independent organisations that share the same values and vission as the Acton Institute. Acton works with these organisations to help spread this shared belief of a free and virtuous society to their countries within their own context.
Conferences and events
The Acton Institute hosts programs throughout the world for business, educational, and religious leaders. These programs take various forms and include:- Acton University: Acton's annual conference in Grand Rapids is its largest and most international event (participants from from 70 different countries). The conference is focused on the convergence of philosophy, theology, and economics in the intellectual foundations of a free society.
- An annual dinner in Grand Rapids: Past speakers have been business leaders, political commentators, and Justices of the Supreme Court—Antonin ScaliaAntonin ScaliaAntonin Gregory Scalia is an American jurist who serves as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. As the longest-serving justice on the Court, Scalia is the Senior Associate Justice...
, Clarence ThomasClarence ThomasClarence Thomas is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Succeeding Thurgood Marshall, Thomas is the second African American to serve on the Court....
, Sir John Templeton, Bob McTeerRobert D. McTeerRobert D. McTeer is an American economist, and has been a fellow at the US National Center for Policy Analysis since January 2007. McTeer is a former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and a former chancellor of the Texas A&M University System....
, Charles ColsonCharles ColsonCharles Wendell "Chuck" Colson is a Christian leader, cultural commentator, and former Special Counsel for President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973....
, John StosselJohn StosselJohn F. Stossel is an American consumer reporter, investigative journalist, author and libertarian columnist. In October 2009 Stossel left his long time home on ABC News to join the Fox Business Channel and Fox News Channel, both owned and operated by News Corp...
, Michael MedvedMichael MedvedMichael Medved is an American radio host, author, political commentator and film critic. His Seattle, Washington-based nationally syndicated talk show, The Michael Medved Show, airs throughout the U.S...
, Dick DeVosDick DeVosDick DeVos is a businessman and Republican politician from Michigan. The son of billionaire Amway co-founder Richard DeVos, he served as CEO of the multi-level marketing consumer goods distribution company from 1993–2002...
, and Sirico's brother, actor Tony SiricoTony SiricoGenaro Anthony "Tony" Sirico, Jr. is an American character actor who is most famous for his role as Paulie Gualtieri in the television series The Sopranos.- Background and career :Sirico was born in Midwood, Brooklyn...
, have all spoken.
- Centesimus Annus Conference Series: Nine conferences were held in Rome and Poland in 2006 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul IIBlessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
's encyclicalCentesimus AnnusCentesimus Annus was an encyclical written by Pope John Paul II in 1991, on the hundredth anniversary of Rerum Novarum...
.
- "Toward a Free and Virtuous Society" conferences: Seminars that apply social justice principles to economics; held several times a year since the institute's founding for future religious leaders.
- Acton Lecture Series: Ongoing lecture series which brings Acton's research fellows and guests to a local audience. Past speakers include Russell KirkRussell KirkRussell Kirk was an American political theorist, moralist, historian, social critic, literary critic, and fiction author known for his influence on 20th century American conservatism. His 1953 book, The Conservative Mind, gave shape to the amorphous post–World War II conservative movement...
, William F. Buckley, Jr.William F. Buckley, Jr.William Frank Buckley, Jr. was an American conservative author and commentator. He founded the political magazine National Review in 1955, hosted 1,429 episodes of the television show Firing Line from 1966 until 1999, and was a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. His writing was noted for...
, Avery Cardinal Dulles, and Michael NovakMichael NovakMichael Novak is an American Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, and diplomat. The author of more than twenty-five books on the philosophy and theology of culture, Novak is most widely known for his book The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism...
.
Research and publications
From its guiding principles and economic research, the institute publishes books, papers, and periodicals, and maintains a media outreach effort.- Journal of Markets & Morality:
-
- Internationally renowned peer-reviewed journalPeer reviewPeer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
that explores the intersection of economics and morality from scientificSocial sciencesSocial science is the field of study concerned with society. "Social science" is commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences usually exclusive of the administrative or managerial sciences...
and theologicalChristian theology- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
points of view. Published semi-annually.
- Internationally renowned peer-reviewed journal
- Monographs:
-
- In-depth treatments of specific policy issues and translations of scholarly works previously unpublished in English.
- Abraham Kuyper Translation Project:
-
- In 2011, the institute began a collaboration with Kuyper CollegeKuyper CollegeKuyper College is a ministry-focused Christian leadership college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, that educates and trains Christian leaders for ministry and service...
to translate into English the three-volume work Common Grace (De Gemene Gratie in DutchDutch languageDutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
) of politician, journalist and ReformedReformed churchesThe Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
theologian Abraham KuyperAbraham KuyperAbraham Kuijper generally known as Abraham Kuyper, was a Dutch politician, journalist, statesman and theologian...
. The work, written from 1901-05 while he was Prime ministerPrime Minister of the NetherlandsThe Prime Minister of the Netherlands is the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Netherlands. He is the de facto head of government of the Netherlands and coordinates the policy of the government...
of the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, addresses the advance of both MarxismMarxismMarxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
and libertarianismLibertarianismLibertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
from an ecumenical Christian viewpoint as part of an effort to build a "constructive public theology" for the Western worldWestern worldThe Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
. The first volume of the translation, Wisdom and Wonder: Common Grace in Science and Art, was unveiled in November, 2011.
- In 2011, the institute began a collaboration with Kuyper College
- Religion & Liberty:
-
- Quarterly publication which covers the interworking of liberty and morality: contains interviews, book reviews, scholarly essays, brief biographies of central thinkers, and discussions of important topics.
- Catholic High SchoolCatholic schoolCatholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
Honor Roll:
- Catholic High School
- Since 2004 the institute has maintained a Catholic High School Honor Roll in order to recognize schools which maintain academic excellence, a Catholic identity, and strong civic education.
- The Samaritan Guide:
- Through 2008, the institute gave an annual Samaritan Award to a "highly successful, privately funded charity whose work is direct, personal, and accountable." The Samaritan Guide was produced to encourage effective charitable giving by establishing a rating system for charities considered for the Samaritan Award.
- Quarterly publication which covers the interworking of liberty and morality: contains interviews, book reviews, scholarly essays, brief biographies of central thinkers, and discussions of important topics.
- Acton Notes:
-
- The bimonthly newsletterNewsletterA newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Newspapers and leaflets are types of newsletters. Additionally, newsletters delivered electronically via email have gained rapid acceptance for the same reasons email in...
of the Acton Institute; contains reports of projects and goings on at the institute.
- The bimonthly newsletter
- The Acton PowerBlog:
-
- Since April 2005 the institute has provided a synthesis of religion and economics on its blogBlogA blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
.
- Since April 2005 the institute has provided a synthesis of religion and economics on its blog
Notable individuals associated with the Acton Institute
Besides Sirico, notable scholars associated with the institute include Anthony BradleyAnthony Bradley
Anthony B. Bradley is professor of theology at the King's College in New York City, and a fellow with the Acton Institute. His areas of writing and research focus on social ethics and the intersection of Christian faith and contemporary culture...
. The institute's director of research is Samuel Gregg, author of the prize-winning book The Commercial Society. Notable members of the institute's board of directors or board of advisors include Leonard Liggio
Leonard Liggio
Leonard Liggio is a classical liberal author, research professor of law at George Mason University, and executive vice president of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation in Fairfax, Virginia, USA.-Present positions:...
, Michael Novak
Michael Novak
Michael Novak is an American Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, and diplomat. The author of more than twenty-five books on the philosophy and theology of culture, Novak is most widely known for his book The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism...
, and Steve Hanke
Steve Hanke
Steve H. Hanke is an American economist specializing in international economics, particularly monetary policy.He holds a doctoral degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Earlier in his teaching career, he taught economics at the Colorado School of Mines and the University of California,...
.
Funding
The institute has never sought government funding for its work. As of 2007, the Institute had received funding from the Earhart FoundationEarhart Foundation
The Earhart Foundation is a private charitable foundation that funds research and scholarship. It was founded in 1929 by oil executive Harry Boyd Earhart.- History :...
and the Bradley Foundation
Bradley Foundation
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a conservative foundation with about half a billion US dollars in assets. According to the Bradley Foundation 1998 Annual Report, it gives away more than $30 million per year...
.
See also
- American Enterprise InstituteAmerican Enterprise InstituteThe American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is a conservative think tank founded in 1943. Its stated mission is "to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism—limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and...
- Atlas Economic Research FoundationAtlas Economic Research FoundationThe Atlas Economic Research Foundation, also known as the Atlas Network, is a non-profit organization based in the United States which organizes and convenes workshops, offers training, runs prize programs, and provides advisory services in order to continue growing and strengthening an informal...
- Cato InstituteCato InstituteThe Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
- Ethics and Public Policy CenterEthics and Public Policy CenterThe Ethics and Public Policy Center is a Washington, D.C.-based conservative advocacy group. Formed in 1976 by Ernest W. Lefever, who was its president until 1989, the group describes itself as "dedicated to applying the Judeo-Christian moral tradition to critical issues of public policy."Since...
- The Heritage FoundationThe Heritage FoundationThe Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
- Hoover InstitutionHoover InstitutionThe Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is a public policy think tank and library founded in 1919 by then future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, an early alumnus of Stanford....
- Mackinac Center for Public PolicyMackinac Center for Public PolicyThe Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a free market think tank headquartered in Midland, Michigan. It is the USA’s largest state-based free market think tank...
- Manhattan InstituteManhattan InstituteThe Manhattan Institute for Policy Research is a conservative, market-oriented think tank established in New York City in 1978 by Antony Fisher and William J...
- Ludwig von Mises InstituteLudwig von Mises InstituteThe Ludwig von Mises Institute , based in Auburn, Alabama, is a libertarian academic organization engaged in research and scholarship in the fields of economics, philosophy and political economy. Its scholarship is inspired by the work of Austrian School economist Ludwig von Mises...
- State Policy NetworkState Policy NetworkThe State Policy Network is a U.S. national network of free-market oriented think tanks focused on individual U.S. states. SPN is based in Arlington, Virginia.-History:SPN was founded in 1992 by Thomas A...
- Witherspoon InstituteWitherspoon InstituteThe Whitherspoon Institute is a conservative think tank in Princeton, New Jersey.-Overview:Founded in 2003 by Robert P. George and others, the institute is named after John Witherspoon. It shares many scholars with the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Fellows include Jean...