The John Locke Foundation (JLF) is a
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...
think tank
A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmental ...
based in
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia a ...
. The organization was founded in 1990 to work "for truth, for freedom, and for the future of North Carolina."
It is named after the
philosopher John Locke, who was a primary contributor to
classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political tradition and a branch of liberalism that advocates free market and laissez-faire economics; civil liberties under the rule of law with especial emphasis on individual autonomy, limited government, e ...
. JLF was co-founded by
Art Pope, a North Carolina businessman active in politics. Pope's family foundation provides most of the support for the center.
The organization's stated mission is to "employ research, journalism, and outreach programs to transform government through competition, innovation, personal freedom, and personal responsibility. JLF seeks a better balance between the public sector and private institutions of family, faith, community, and enterprise."
The organization is concerned primarily with state and local issues. JLF advocates lowering
taxes
A tax is a compulsory financial charge or some other type of levy imposed on a taxpayer (an individual or legal entity) by a governmental organization in order to fund government spending and various public expenditures (regional, local, o ...
, and encouraging
free market
In economics, a free market is an economic system in which the prices of goods and services are determined by supply and demand expressed by sellers and buyers. Such markets, as modeled, operate without the intervention of government or any o ...
s. Amy Oliver Cooke is its current president.
The John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy was in its initial stages a project of the John Locke Foundation.
Activities
The John Locke Foundation's research staff regularly publishes scholarly articles and reports on topics such as budget and tax policy; regulatory, legal, and environmental policy; education policy; and county and local government, including transportation and land-use policies. In 2015, JLF initiated the publication of an index of freedom, ranking each of the states in their relative freedom.
According to North Carolina's
WRAL WRAL may refer to:
* WRAL-TV, a television station (channel 17, virtual 5) licensed to Raleigh, North Carolina
* WRAL (FM), a radio station (101.5 FM) licensed to Raleigh, North Carolina
* WPJL
WPJL (1240 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a ...
news, John Locke Foundation staff are frequently quoted in news outlets across the state and appear as guests on public affairs programs, and columns by foundation staff appear in local newspapers.
[
Every two years, JLF produces an agenda document that focuses on issues that JLF believes the North Carolina state and local governments must address. The organization also publishes the ''Carolina Journal'', a monthly publication, as well as CarolinaJournal.com and a weekly hour-long news program, Carolina Journal Radio.]
See also
* John William Pope Foundation
References
External links
John Locke Foundation Website
(provided by RePEc)
Organizational Profile
– National Center for Charitable Statistics
The National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS) is a clearing house for information about the nonprofit sector of the U.S. economy. The National Center for Charitable Statistics builds national, state, and regional databases and develops st ...
(Urban Institute
The Urban Institute is a Washington, D.C.–based think tank that carries out economic and social policy research to "open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions". The institute receives funding from government contracts, foundations and pr ...
)
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Political and economic think tanks in the United States
John Locke
Non-profit organizations based in North Carolina
Political and economic research foundations in the United States
Organizations based in Raleigh, North Carolina
1990 establishments in North Carolina
Conservative organizations in the United States