ARTICLES

"Creating your Path to a Policy Career" by The Institute for Humane Studies

This publication, made by the Institute for Humane Studies' Liberty Guide is a guidebook on building a career in public policy. It offers advice on roles within think tanks, Skills needed for working in the policy realm and how to work outside a think tank in other sectors. This publication is great for individuals seeking to work with a think tank, or wanting to work in the world of ideas.

"Checking the Power of Government:The Role of Think-Tanks in the U.S." by Brad Lips

In March 2010, Brad Lips developed this paper for a foreign audience of academics and business leaders as an introduction to the think-tank sector. It makes distinctions about different types of think-tanks, notes the ways in which this sector is evolving, and identifies key ingredients for think-tank success.

"Making a Difference for Liberty in the World" by Lawrence Reed

Lawrence Reed, now with the Foundation for Economic Education gave this presentation at Atlas's Liberty Forum in 2004, He explains the importance of growing the movement for liberty.

"From Intellectual Entrepreneur to Institute Leader" by Alejandro Chafuen

This article, is adapted from Alex Chafuen’s presentation to the Graduate Program on Organizational Management at the University of Navarra (Spain).

"Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy" by Lawrence Reed

"Principles, Specialization, and Free Market Think Tanks" by Joseph Bast

In this article, Joseph Bast, president of Heartland Institute, observes in the past twenty years how free-market think tanks have undergone dramatic changes in their organization, tactics and measures of success, and influence.

"A Think Tank for the 21st Century" by Joseph Blast

In this article from The Heartland Institute’s The Heartlander, Joseph Bast describes the achievements and challenges of think tanks in today’s world.

BOOKS* All summaries of books can be found here

In this age of speedy communication and analysis, Ingrid Gregg, president of the Earhart Foundation, invites readers to pause, revisit, and reflect upon the works of great thinkers who laid down the philosophical foundations of the core principles of the free society. Check out the State Policy Network's recommended book list.

"The Mystery of Capital" by Hernando de Soto
"In Defense of Global Capitalism" by Johan Norberg
"Constitution of Liberty" by F.A. Hayek
"The Future and Its Enemies:The Growing Conflict Over Creativity, Enterprise, and Progress" by Virginia Postrel
"Dependent on D.C.: The Rise of Federal Control over the Lives of Ordinary Americans" by Charlotte Twight
"The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy" by Thomas Sowell
"Public Intellectuals" by Richard Posner
"Lives at Risk" by John C. Goodman, Gerald L. Musgrave and Devon M. Herrick
"In Defense of Freedom and Related Essays" by Frank Meyer
"Business as a Calling: Work and the Examined Life" by Michael Novak
ECONOMICS
"Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell
"Applied Economics:Thinking Beyond Stage One" by Thomas Sowell
"The Substance of Style: How the Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce,Culture, and Consciousness" byVirginia Postrel
"Eat the Rich" by P.J. O'Rourke
BIOGRAPHIES
"R.E. Lee: A Biography" by Douglas Southall Freeman
"John Adams" by David McCullough
HISTORY
"Commanding Heights:The Battle for the World Economy" by Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw
"Paris 1919" by Margaret MacMillan
"Those Dirty Rotten Taxes:The Tax Revolts that Built America" by Charles Adams