Limited Government Think Tanks

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deadmanoncampus Posted: Thu, Mar 24 2011 12:02 PM

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My reading and experiences indicate that many have had bitter experiences in the non profit industry. Corruption in the Non Profit sector is more of a rule than an exception-even in limited Government think tanks. I know some closet anarchists who run or work with such think tanks, never coming open about their real convictions. The experiences of many thinkers of the Austrian school, like Mises, Rothbard and Hoppe with such organizations were overall unpleasant. Many of them tolerate any differences, as long as it sounds confused and incoherent enough.

As Hoppe says, they attract all the bad guys in the movement, and have a cozy alliance with "with politicians, government bureaucrats, lobbyists, and assorted staffers and assistants. Along with connected journalists, these are also the regular attendees of their conferences, briefings, receptions and cocktail parties."

And: "The limited government movement has been a growth industry. Its annual expenditures currently run in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and billions of dollars likely have been spent in total. All the while, government expenditures never and nowhere fell, not even once, but instead always and uninterruptedly increased to ever more dizzying heights. And yet, this glaring failure of the industry to deliver the promised good of limited government is not punished but, perversely, rewarded with still more ample funds. The more the think tanks fail, the more money they get. The State and the free market think tank industry thus live in perfect harmony with each other. They grow together, in tandem. But the embarrassing facts are not accidental or coincidental and could have been systematically predicted—if only one had better understood the nature of the state, and did not believe in miracles."

I hope all would express their opinion on whether such a strategy work in spreading liberty. To me, it is obvious that it won't.

My own experience working with a limited government think tank in India was not much different. My pay was purposefully delayed for months by Liberty Institute. I was asked to sign on documents related to projects on which I didn't work on and had my disagreements with. I was burdened with work related emails when doctors suspected I had oral cancer. I heard that many had similar experiences. I asked for an explanation for months, but I got none on email after several emails. I had informed thetwo organizations which fund us. Initially, they were very much co-operative and listened to my side-but only after they understood they would better.When I further asked for details, I never got a reply. I later heard that all accounts are in order, and it seems they continue to fund the organization. After exchanging two dozen mails from both sides with the Chairman of the Board Of Directors, I saw no attempt to look into the evidence. All he said was that my communication was not good enough and I should do something productive. Finally when I further asked to look into evidence, he just asked "Do you know whether this qualify as libel?" and to spare them. Never mind that libel laws are incompatible with liberty! I am really surprised by the insensitivity of people concerned towards truth and matters of importance. I am treated and looked down upon as a miscreant who talks of things which shouldn’t be talked about, and spoils their petty embezzlement party.

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Clayton replied on Thu, Mar 24 2011 7:06 PM

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Why not email Dr. Hoppe and see if he knows of positions where you can do real libertarian scholarship without all the hampering from the Think-Tank Industrial Complex? The worst that can happen is he doesn't know of any positions...

Clayton -

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Lagrange multiplier replied on Thu, Mar 24 2011 7:16 PM

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I wish Hoppe would write more books.

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John James replied on Thu, Mar 24 2011 7:22 PM

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I'm not exactly sure what your goal was in posting this...whether you were looking for advice, trying to inform others, or just looking to rant...but I for one would like more facts to support your accusation of "corruption", which is quite a serious claim.

So far in all of that the only thing concrete you presented was your own bad experience in a single organization in one of the most bureaucratic countries on the face of the planet.

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Aristippus replied on Thu, Mar 24 2011 7:25 PM

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"I wish Hoppe would write more books."

Isn't he writing his 'Economy, Society, History' book right now?

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deadmanoncampus replied on Thu, Mar 24 2011 7:58 PM

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John James,

I was not making a sweeping generalization. I am sure that there are limited Government think tanks and other non profit organizations run with good intention. However, many radical libertarians I have known had such experiences with similar think tanks, big and small. I can't talk of others, but everything I heard, read and experience convinces me that Hoppe was not far off the mark, though he often overstates his case. At least, in my case, it is true and it proves that it can happen in the name of liberty. I had linked to it in detail in my first post. Yes, India is one of the most corrupt countries on the planet. But, The organizations which fund our think tank are not Indian. I wish to come open about it, and do not want this to happen to anyone else. I welcome any genuine advice.

Clayton,

Hoppe rarely replies to my emails, and that is understandable!

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deadmanoncampus replied on Sat, Mar 26 2011 1:37 PM

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Strangeloop,

Absolutely. I wish to see a general treatise by Hans Hermann Hoppe out soon!