The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion & Liberty is an educational organization whose ideas are influenced by natural law theory, Christian social thought, and free marketeconomics.
Robert Sirico (right) speaking with other clergymen at an Acton Institute conference in Detroit, Michigan.
The Acton Institute is named after the English theologian, philosopher, and historianLord Acton, who is popularly associated with the famous dictum that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Its mission statement is "to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles."1
The Institute organizes conferences and events,2 such as Acton University,3 targeting religious and moral leaders, business executives, entrepreneurs, university professors, and academic researchers.
In late 2006, "Istituto Acton" was opened in Rome, Italy, as a European branch of the Acton Institute.4
Publications and media outreach
The institute also publishes academic and trade press books, and maintains an extensive media outreach effort.5 The institute's fellows and adjunct faculty write public policy columns arguing for free markets and reduced government intervention6 and make themselves available to members of the media for comment.7 Columnists unaffiliated with the organization cite the institute's research as well.8 Since April of 2005 the institute has also published a weblog named "Acton Institute PowerBlog."9
Periodicals
Journal of Markets & Morality, a semi-annual, peer-reviewed journal focuses on "the relationship between economics and morality from both social science and theological perspectives."10
Religion & Liberty, the institute's general interest quarterly magazine, addresses current affairs in the context of "religion, economics, and culture."11
Acton Notes, the institute's monthly newsletter, features "a president's message, news, and upcoming events."12
Notable individuals associated with the Acton Institute
An assembly at a Detroit conference held by the Institute.