John Stuart Mill Institute
Encyclopedia
The John Stuart Mill Institute is a non-governmental, Heidelberg-based research institute founded in 2009 and named after John Stuart Mill
, an influential 19th century English philosopher and politician.
His main work “On Liberty”, published in 1859, forms the basis for the institutes aim and mission:
“The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.”
Accordingly, the institute performs research into and promotes the concept of individual freedom and liberalism as an independent think tank
and general advisor to all levels of society. As such, it is unique and the only one of its kind in Germany.
The head of the John Stuart Mill Institute is Prof. Ulrike Ackermann. All members of the scientific advisory board are renowned individuals, such as: Detmar Doering (philosopher and historian, currently head of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation
); Karen Horn (economist, head of the Institute of German Economy, Berlin); Robert Nef (head of the Institute of Liberalism, Zürich
); Prof. Gerhard Schulze (sociologist, University of Bamberg); Prof. Edgar Wolfrum (historian, University of Heidelberg); Prof. Michael Zöller (political scientist, University of Bayreuth
/ member of the Council on public policies).
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher, economist and civil servant. An influential contributor to social theory, political theory, and political economy, his conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state control. He was a proponent of...
, an influential 19th century English philosopher and politician.
His main work “On Liberty”, published in 1859, forms the basis for the institutes aim and mission:
“The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.”
Accordingly, the institute performs research into and promotes the concept of individual freedom and liberalism as an independent 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...
and general advisor to all levels of society. As such, it is unique and the only one of its kind in Germany.
Mission statement
The institutes stated mission is to broaden the perception and understanding of individual liberty and to facilitate debates on this topic in politics, science and society.Key aspects of activity
- research and advocacy on political, academic and private freedom
- studies/research projects into declining civil rights and liberty in developed societies, particularly Germany in comparison to other countries
- serve as mediator/facilitator for freedom research in Germany and abroad
- engage in national and international cooperation with public and private partners, scientific institutes and any interested research/educational facilities
- advisory role for political and economic institutes including management training, teaching at universities etc.
Governance
The institute is integrated into one of the biggest and oldest private universities of applied sciences in Germany, the SRH in Heidelberg.The head of the John Stuart Mill Institute is Prof. Ulrike Ackermann. All members of the scientific advisory board are renowned individuals, such as: Detmar Doering (philosopher and historian, currently head of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation
Friedrich Naumann Foundation
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation is a German foundation for liberal politics, related to the Free Democratic Party. Established in 1958 by Theodor Heuss, the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, it promotes individual freedom and liberalism.The Foundation follows the ideals of the...
); Karen Horn (economist, head of the Institute of German Economy, Berlin); Robert Nef (head of the Institute of Liberalism, Zürich
Liberales Institut
The Liberales Institut is a Swiss classical liberal think tank, founded in Zürich in 1979 by Robert Nef. It publishes in German and English.- External links :**...
); Prof. Gerhard Schulze (sociologist, University of Bamberg); Prof. Edgar Wolfrum (historian, University of Heidelberg); Prof. Michael Zöller (political scientist, University of Bayreuth
University of Bayreuth
The University of Bayreuth is a public research university situated in Bayreuth, Germany. It was founded in 1975 as a campus university focusing on international collaboration and interdisciplinarity...
/ member of the Council on public policies).
Funding
The John Stuart Mill Institute is an independent research and teaching organization that engages and advices to all levels of modern society. It is non-partisan and its views are not aligned with any political party. As such, the institute does not perform contract research nor does it accept government funding. Initially founded by generous support from the SRH Heidelberg, its future revenues will largely dependent on private contributions.External links
- 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...
(Washington) - Fraser InstituteFraser InstituteThe Fraser Institute is a Canadian think tank. It has been described as politically conservative and right-wing libertarian and espouses free market principles...
(Vancouver) - Friedrich Naumann FoundationFriedrich Naumann FoundationThe Friedrich Naumann Foundation is a German foundation for liberal politics, related to the Free Democratic Party. Established in 1958 by Theodor Heuss, the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany, it promotes individual freedom and liberalism.The Foundation follows the ideals of the...
(Potsdam) - Human Rights WatchHuman Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
- Freedom HouseFreedom HouseFreedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...
(Washington, New York, Budapest) - Open Society Funds (Budapest)
- Centre Raymond Aron (Paris)
- Hayek SocietyHayek SocietyThe LSE Hayek Society supports classical liberalism, free market economics and free trade. It is a campus society and is named in honour of Nobel Laureate Friedrich Hayek, who lectured at the London School of Economics from 1931 until 1950.The Society was founded in 1996 by Hector Birchwood and...