American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is a prominent public policy think tank established in 1943, dedicated to promoting principles such as free markets, limited government, economic growth, and individual rights. AEI actively engages in the public discourse surrounding climate policy, often challenging regulatory proposals put forth by governmental agencies and NGOs. Through the publication of books, policy articles, and various media appearances, AEI scholars analyze and critique climate-related policies from a market-oriented perspective. The institute also hosts conferences and roundtable discussions that bring together policy experts to explore various aspects of climate science and policy, aiming to influence public opinion and governmental decision-making.
AEI advocates for democratic capitalism, individual liberty, and effective defense policies, asserting that a "competition of ideas" is essential for a free society. Its audience includes government officials, educators, business leaders, and citizens interested in understanding government policy and its implications on society. Importantly, AEI's research and analyses are frequently cited in mainstream media, shaping the views of both the public and policymakers. Within the context of climate change, AEI analysts present a spectrum of opinions on the role of greenhouse gases and offer diverse policy recommendations, reflecting the complexity of the climate debate.
American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
- DATE: Established 1943
Mission
In the ongoing public debate over climate policy, regulatory proposals by governmental agencies and Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are often challenged by policy analysts who value free markets, small government, economic growth, and individual rights. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is a public policy think tank associated with the latter values. A subset of AEI scholars regularly evaluate, criticize, and promote climate-related policies through in-house publication of books and policy articles, as well as external publications and appearances in mainstream media. The organization also holds conferences and roundtable discussions at which policy experts discuss diverse elements of climate-policy-related science. These conferences are advertised to decision makers, corporate leaders, AEI supporters, and subscribers, as well as national media outlets in Washington, DC. Transcripts of AEI conferences are also posted to the organization’s website, sometimes accompanied by streaming video excerpts.
Most broadly, AEI, like most think tanks, attempts to influence public opinion and government decision makers in order to favor the development of government policies that the institute supports. AEI’s mission includes protecting and supporting democratic capitalism, limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility. It also advocates for vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate. The institute’s motto is “Competition of ideas is fundamental to a free society.” AEI describes its target audience as “government officials and legislators, teachers and students, business executives, professionals, journalists, and all citizens interested in a serious understanding of government policy, the economy, and important social and political developments.”
Significance for Climate Change
The analysis of AEI researchers is widely cited in the mainstream media, where it influences opinion among the institute’s core audience, the broader public, and policymakers seeking to attract the AEI customer base. While AEI does not adopt an institutional point of view on any given policy issue, AEI’s analysts have expressed a diverse spectrum of opinion regarding the relationship of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to climate change and an equally broad spectrum regarding what ought to be done about the threat of anthropogenic climate change. Some AEI analysts have sought to disclaim a human influence on climate and resisted GHG mitigation efforts, while others have accepted an anthropogenic influence on climate, and still others have suggested policy options including emission trading, carbon taxation, expanded adaptation efforts, and geoengineering.
Bibliography
"About AEI." aei.org. American Enterprise Institute, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
"AEI Economics: Experts, Highlights, and Headlines." AEI Media. American Enterprise Institute, 26 Feb. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2015.
"America at 250." American Enterprise Institute, 2024, www.aei.org/. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.