About us

Instytut Ludwiga von Misesa was founded in August 2003 in Wrocław. Currently it is based in Warszawa. We are an independent and non-profit center for research and education. Named after Ludwig von Mises, in our view the greatest economist of the 20th century, Instytut Ludwiga von Misesa draws from the tradition of the Austrian School of Economics, writings of classical liberalism and libertarian political thought.

Our Mission

The main purpose of Instytut Ludwiga von Misesa is to raise social awareness of the economic processes and basic institutions of a laissez-faire economy. We also promote relations based on free will and peaceful cooperation between individuals.

Inspiration

The achievements and examples set by other market-oriented think tanks motivated us to establish a similar research center in Poland, especially as the ideas of liberty had received little support in our country.

Our Activities

To reach this goal, Instytut Ludwiga von Misesa provides a forum for free and open economic debate. We address our actions to academics and students, political activists, journalists, entrepreneurs, and everyone who is interested both in economic theory, and in practical applications of its rules to socio-political reality. We initiate and finance research programs, publish books regarding key issues of economics, organize conferences, seminars and lectures. We run scholarships for talented students and essay competitions on the subjects related to the Institute’s research activity.

Our Values

We respect natural human rights – freedom of the individual, private property rights and the right to live. We support natural freedom of choice, based on interpersonal relations and we oppose abnormal, antisocial relations based on coercion. We believe that free-market economy (based on private property, free competition, honesty and abiding by contracts) is an essential component in achieving permanent welfare and eliminating societal pathologies. We therefore resist all forms of government intervention – because they limit individual freedom and are the source of harmful distortions. We reject approaches which emotionalize science and use propaganda where reason and reliable scientific methods ought to be the norm.

Financing
Instytut Ludwiga von Misesa operates under the policy of independence from political parties and state institutions. We do not accept funding from any state sources. The Institute?s funds come from private contributions and our own statutory activities.