The work of the Independent Institute has been recognized by many noted individuals and publications. Here is a sample of their opinions:
“I want to commend David Theroux and everyone at the Independent Institute for all of their magnificent, principled, and courageous work. The Independent Institute is a unique and essential beacon of light and hope in advancing peaceful, free, and prosperous societies, all grounded in a commitment to human worth and dignity. The world needs you more than ever.”
—DESMOND M. TUTU, late Nobel Laureate in Peace; Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa
“The program of the Independent Institute is excellent.”
—GARY S. BECKER, late Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, University of Chicago
“I’m a big fan of the Independent Institute and all of the great works that you do as well as providing great knowledge and bringing new authors to the cause of liberty and trying to shine a light to the rest of us.”
—RAND PAUL, U.S. Senator; “From Crisis to Opportunity: COVID Lockdowns and Educational Freedom”
“The future well-being of all Americans and people worldwide depends on the embrace of liberty. In their superb advancing of free societies, the Independent Institute is producing the highest quality, reach, and influence essential to affect change. On issue after issue, Independent has led the way with solid analysis, timely insights, and innovative solutions that are crucial for securing a brighter future. I strongly encourage everyone to join with me in sharing in Independent’s publications, events, media, and other programs and in supporting Independent in every way possible.”
—RAND PAUL
“It is my great honor and privilege to join in the incredible testimony to the work and lasting value of the Independent Institute. Thank you for your tireless devotion to liberty in an age when it is under attack by people who know not what they do. But this, I believe, will pass.”
—VERNON L. SMITH, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences; Professor of Economics and Law and Founding Director of the Economic Science Institute, Chapman University
“The Independent Institute has a well-deserved reputation for rigorous analysis of critical public policy issues and for pointing the way toward reform in government. . . . I am happy to commend you for the clarity of your insights, not least those into the nature and blessings of economic freedom.”
—RONALD REAGAN, 40th President of the United States
“David Theroux is a miracle worker.”
—MILTON FRIEDMAN, late Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences
“The Independent Institute is our beacon for the future of liberty!”
—GEORGE GILDER, bestselling author, The Scandal of Money, Wealth and Poverty, Knowledge and Power, The Spirit of Enterprise, Microcosm, and other books
“The Independent Institute lives up to its name by providing the best non-partisan analyses of the most important economic, political and educational issues of our day. The scholarship is first rate and is firmly grounded in the principle that everyone should thrive in a free society.”
—LEE E. OHANIAN, Professor of Economics and Director, Ettinger Family Program in Macroeconomic Research, UCLA; Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University; Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Research
“I am very pleased to commend you for the program of the Independent Institute, one of the best known public policy research and educational organizations. I want to extend my sincere appreciation for the impressive professional contributions you have made in economics, government regulation, and many other areas.”
—DIANNE FEINSTEIN, late U.S. Senator
“The Independent Institute has been leading the way for some time, in asking uncomfortable questions about a disturbing tendency: the transformation of the American government and market system toward cronyism.”
—MICHAEL C. MUNGER, Professor of Political Science, Economics and Public Policy and Director of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program, Duke University
“I just want to thank the Independent Institute. My husband and I are journalists, and I do a lot of television, and I frequently get lots of nice comments from people about my preparation. My secret is that I like to read policy papers and books. There are so many topics that have been covered by the Independent Institute over the years, and my husband and I are very grateful for all of the work of the scholars at the Independent Institute. So, thank you.”
—MOLLIE ZIEGLER HEMINGWAY, Senior Editor, The Federalist; Fox News Contributor
“In spite of the pessimism that tends to exist for those of us who believe in true liberty and are associated with the government actually I’ve come away after this past year and a half or so as being a lot more optimistic because of groups like the Independent Institute. They’ve been around, they’re quiet but they get information out and they’re teaching, and this is what changes things. . . . I think what we need to do is present the truth and that is why what is being done has just been great because it will make the people question, they’re questioning the government and they need to question our history, and all of this stuff we get from our public school system has just so misled us so we really have an opportunity now for people who are opening their eyes. . . .What is coming though and why the work that we do and the work that the Independent Institute does is so critical right now is because we are in the midst of a major change in attitudes in this country. It’s been happening and I think because in the last 20 years we’ve made great progress.”
—RON PAUL, former U.S. Congressman, 14th Congressional District of Texas; former candidate for President of the United States
“I’m trying to educate people of what’s going on; because truly, people do not know either the history of Cuba, what went on in Cuba, or what’s going on in Cuba right now. And they’re still being somehow fed this sort of false information. And so I celebrate the Independent Institute providing a forum for that type of education, because ultimately there’re societies and countries all around the world where we need to know what’s going on. And as José Marti said, liberty is something that you must be able to sacrifice your life for; and for those of us who have had liberty taken away from us, we know its true value. And as a proud American with the opportunity to pursue my dreams and speak my voice, which is why my parents brought me here, thank you.”
—ANDY GARCIA, Academy Award-nominated, Havana-born actor, director, and producer (from remarks at A Gala for Liberty, September 16, 2008)
“Thank you very much, David, and before I begin my remarks about Bill, let me just congratulate you and The Independent Institute on all the important things you do. Liberty is not something to be taken lightly. We’ve all had experiences in our lifetime—many of us, of my generation and younger, much fewer than people of Bill’s generation and older—about what sacrifices people have had to make for that liberty in America. And that is being repeated around the world now in a variety of places. You’ll hear a lot more about that as we progress through the evening. But again, congratulations David, and I thank all of you for being here to support the Institute.”
—MICHAEL J. BOSKIN, Tully M. Friedman Professor of Economics, Stanford University; former Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisors (from remarks at A Gala for Liberty, September 16, 2008)
“We are in a period of flux, hopefully creative flux, in our political life. Anything that gets people out and shakes them up a bit, in my estimation, should be applauded. And, the Independent Institute should be congratulated for doing just that. The more we do it, the better off we all will be.”
—ALEXANDER COCKBURN, late columnist, The Nation, and Los Angeles Times; co-editor, CounterPunch
“The Independent Institute is an extremely important program, with a superb research and publishing track record, adding enormous value to the present discussions on the role of a state in society.”
—VACLAV KLAUS, former President and Prime Minister, Czech Republic
“The Independent Institute is to be congratulated for its superb work.”
—GERALD R. FORD, Jr., late 38th President of the United States
“[T]heir stock-in-trade is ideological consistency. They win support precisely because they aren't for sale”
—THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
“I admire David Theroux for what he is doing. It’s totally unselfish. It’s remarkably efficient. And I certainly intend to continue to make contributions every year to the Independent Institute. I believe there are very few ways that you can help humanity so greatly as to spread the benefits of the concept of free competition, and one of the great organizations worldwide that is now spreading that concept is The Independent Institute. So it’s an honor for me, and a joy, to participate in their work.”
—SIR JOHN MARKS TEMPLETON, Founder, Templeton Global Funds; Templeton College of Management, Oxford University; and Templeton Prize on Progress in Religion
“The Independent Institute is producing good scholarly work on important issues. As chairman of a friendly competitor, my congratulations and best wishes.”
—WILLIAM A. NISKANEN, late Chairman Emeritus and Distinguished Senior Economist, Cato Institute; former Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisors
“The eminent Independent Institute has for many years been active in advancing excellent scholarship of economics.”
—LORD PETER T. BAUER, late Emeritus Professor of Economics, London School of Economics
“The Independent Institute is becoming one of the most significant forces today in renewing public knowledge and appreciation of the roots of American liberty.”
—FORREST McDONALD, late Pulitzer Prize Finalist in American History, University of Alabama
“The Independent Institute will continue for many years to be a true lighthouse for all of us who can just hope to follow your example of courage, consistency, and success.”
—ALBERTO MINGARDI, General Director, Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italy
“What all of us associated with the excellent program of the Independent Institute recognize is that the overwhelmingly wonderful ideas involved are something profoundly important, and we should all get quite excited about them.”
—TOM PETERS, co-author, In Search of Excellence
“The Independent Institute has an enviable record of publishing excellent books on difficult topics with cutting-edge, quality scholars expressing themselves in good, accessible, jargon-free English .”
—JOHN BLUNDELL, late Director General, Institute of Economic Affairs, London
“Excellent, ethical, and effective, the Independent Institute brings out many superb policy books that make the case for strengthening the foundations of a free society.”
—PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy
“The Independent Institute’s excellent program of policy research has been very valuable and effective.”
—WILLIAM E. SIMON, former Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury
“Your dedication and commitment to the pursuit of unbiased policy research will greatly benefit us all. Congratulations and thank you for your contributions!”
—MARK LENO, Assemblyman, State of California
“The Independent Institute is a leading edge think tank offering a wide variety of powerful ideas that deal with today’s social, economic and political problems.”
—TALKERS MAGAZINE
“Unlike what too often passes for public debate, the Independent Institute upholds the finest tradition of policy analysis and investigative journalism. In uncovering the truth about the impact of government policies, the Institute does not accept the pronouncements of government officials at face value, nor the conventional wisdom over serious public problems.”
—JOHN R. MacARTHUR, Publisher, Harper’s
“The Independent Institute should be commended for its role is supporting neutral research which is driven neither by the politics of the left or the right.”
—RINALDO S. BRUTOCO, President, The World Business Academy
“The Independent Institute is doing great work, and I am proud to be associated with it.”
—THOMAS S. SZASZ, late Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, State University of New York-Syracuse
“Unlike so many policy organizations that concentrate on momentary political battles, the Independent Institute’s non-politicized, in-depth program is achieving a significant impact on the direction and substance of public debate. . . . Those interested in advancing our heritage of personal and economic freedom could not do better than by supporting the program of The Independent Institute.”
—HENRY MANNE, former Dean, School of Law, George Mason University
“The Independent Institute, the Oakland, Calif.-based think tank, is widely praised as being one of the best and least partisan public policy research institutions in the country.”
—UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
“I am impressed by the range of public service activities being performed by the Independent Institute. It is a fine development and a tribute to David Theroux.”
—IRVING LOUIS HOROWITZ, late Hannah Arendt Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Political Science, Rutgers University
“You have developed a unique and effective program to influence policy debate and public opinion. Your focus on producing uncompromising scholarly critiques of government policies is absolutely critical to making significant legal, deregulatory, and privatization reforms possible. . . . I want to particularly commend your innovative and successful media and marketing promotional program, which reaches both the policy world and the public at large. . . . Those of us who have waged the battle for limited government on both the state and federal level know only too well how crucial this work can be. . . . The work of the Independent Institute is making an important contribution to our future success and deserves the support of all those interested in securing and preserving freedom at home and abroad.”
—EDWIN W. MEESE, III, former Attorney General of the United States
“Your books, conferences, and sophisticated marketing of ideas have made a powerful contribution to our intellectual debate in recent years, and I hope you will expand your effort in the future.”
—MARTIN ANDERSON, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution
“Your fair-minded, scholarly, and accessible studies supply fresh insights and a wealth of data with which to comment on vital, contemporary issues.”
—JONATHAN V. MARSHALL, former Economics Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
“It is always a privilege to participate in supporting the Independent Institute for all of its excellent work.”
—MICHAEL J. BOSKIN, former Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisors; Tully M. Friedman Professor of Economics, Stanford University
“The Independent Institute is spearheading a revolution.”
—SUCCESS MAGAZINE
“In my experience of publishing academic books, working with the Independent Institute has just been amazing in terms of their continual support. Thanks to David Theroux and Mary Theroux.”
—PETER J. BOETTKE, University Professor of Economics and Philosophy, George Mason University
“The Independent Institute is an excellent public policy research organization, publishing about ten books per year and producing conferences and media programs. An extended number of scholars and policy analysts throughout the United States affiliate with the Institute. I recommend them without reservation.”
—JOHN RAISIAN, Boyd and Jill Smith Senior Fellow and former Tad and Dianne Taube Director, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
“While most policy groups have been seduced by political fashions and expediency, The Independent Institute achieves authoritativeness, credibility, and timeliness. I highly commend you for the work of the Institute and wholly recommend your program to others for support in every way.”
—RICHARD W. RAHN, former Chief Economist, U. S. Chamber of Commerce
“I am writing to congratulate you on the superb program of the Independent Institute, including your work on the escalating business liability crisis. We desperately need this work in order to overcome the ignorance of and hostility to business enterprise and scientific research.... The field of public policy has unfortunately been largely dominated by organizations whose programs are too often linked to the fleeting concerns of partisan politics. By allowing politics to determine the focus and content of policy research and debate, we have often lacked the kind of credible, comprehensive information essential to influencing opinion leaders and the general public. . . The Independent Institute's program however is a proven way to make meaningful legal and deregulatory reforms intellectually and politically possible.”
—ELIZABETH M. WHELAN, President, American Council on Science and Health
“Since its founding, The Independent Institute has developed a reputation for publishing solidly-researched, well-written monographs of interest to academic scribblers and policy makers alike. The Institute’s ‘Studies in Political Economy’ will do nothing to diminish that reputation.”
—PUBLIC CHOICE
“The Independent Institute, which David Theroux directs, is rapidly becoming one of the leading sources of outstanding conferences, publications, and scholarship in the U.S. Many scholars have participated in Independent Institute events, and its publications are uniformly of very high quality.”
—THOMAS J. DiLORENZO, Professor of Economics, Loyola College of Maryland
“With The Independent Institute’s excellent track record of conferences and publications, I am delighted that you remain truly independent, searching for and publishing the truth, without fear or partisan favor. Such stress is particularly important these days, when so many institutes and think tanks are geared, in their research topics, conclusions, and product, to serving the daily needs of politicians and bureaucrats. I am happy to participate in whatever way I can in the work of such a distinguished organization.”
—MURRAY N. ROTHBARD, late Distinguished Professor of Economics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
“I believe that David Theroux has made a major contribution to our scholarly knowledge of the free society through the important publications of The Independent Institute.”
—CHARLES K. ROWLEY, late Professor of Economics, George Mason University; General Director, Locke Institute
“The Independent Institute is an excellent source of books, policy reports, and other publications that provides crucial insights into contemporary questions from a perspective that truly values individual liberty.”
—HARRY BROWNE, late best-selling author, How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World and Why Government Always Fails
“I am always delighted to have a chance to speak at an Independent Institute event. I can count on the audience to be knowledgeable, thoughtful, and influential—just like The Independent Institute’s publications.”
—CHARLES MURRAY, author, Losing Ground, In Pursuit, and What It Means to Be a Libertarian; Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
“The Independent Institute is excellent in critically analyzing the failures of government and in so doing, redefining the debate over major social and economic issues. The Institute’s superb publications, conferences, and media programs are providing the cutting edge for the future of liberty.”
—WALTER E. WILLIAMS, late John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics, George Mason University
“The Independent Institute is in the forefront of the ongoing struggle for preservation and advancement of the institutions of a free society. I am an enthusiastic supporter of their work.”
—ANDRZEJ BRZESKI, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of California, Davis
“Able to cut through much of the red tape connected with research and publishing that encumbers many other institutes, the work of The Independent Institute has been consistently devoted to true scholarship in public policy.”
—DOUGLAS K. ADIE, Professor of Economics, Ohio University
“David Theroux is the very epitome of what I would consider an ideal leader for us in the 21st Century. He and The Independent Institute live in the world of ideas and so are dedicated to refining, explaining, and propagating great ideas. The Independent Institute has done much to make the works of some of the best scholars of our day available to people who might not otherwise see them. It is not enough for scholars just to think great thoughts. There must be organizations that understand them and that know how to spread those thoughts before people who want to learn how to live in a free world.”
—A. JAMES MEIGS, Professor Emeritus of Economics, UCLA
“David Theroux is guiding and leading one of the great think tanks in the United States. The Independent Institute is a scholarly research and educational organization, and David is an indefatigable worker in the vineyard of our knowledge.”
—HANS F. SENNHOLZ, late President, Foundation for Economic Education; Professor of Economics, Grove City College
“The Independent Institute is an important American think tank committed to furthering scholarly research, especially as it applies to public policy debate.”
—WILLIAM H. PETERSON, late Professor Emeritus of Economics, Campbell University
“The Independent Institute is terrific!”
—DANIEL SHAPIRO, Associate Professor of Philosophy, West Virginia University
