Independent Institute

For 40 years, the Independent Institute has advanced bold ideas, fearless inquiry, and principled solutions in defense of liberty. From its beginnings as the original “garage think tank” near Silicon Valley to becoming a leading voice on economics, constitutional governance, education, healthcare, and public policy, Independent has challenged orthodoxy and shaped major national debates for four decades. Watch our special 40th Anniversary video celebrating the people, ideas, and impact that have defined Independent since 1986 — and the work still ahead as we continue advancing peaceful, prosperous, and free societies. Thank you for being part of this journey.

For years, the climate debate has been framed as a choice between economic growth and environmental progress. But innovation tells a different story. From geothermal breakthroughs to advances in drilling technology, the private sector continues to develop new ways to expand energy production while addressing environmental challenges. Markets, competition, and innovation have accomplished what top-down mandates often struggle to achieve: real technological progress.

Javier Milei promised a libertarian transformation in Argentina, but nearly 2.5 years later, many Argentines are growing frustrated with persistent inflation, rising debt, weak investment, and slow economic recovery. Can bold rhetoric alone deliver lasting free-market reform? | @AlvaroVargasLl

@DavidJHarrisJr independent.org/article/2025/1…

🚨BREAKING: President Trump indicates he will sign bill making daylight saving time permanent.

@RightScopee independent.org/article/2025/1…

President Trump indicates he will sign bill making daylight saving time permanent. What's your response to this......??👀 Do you firmly support Trump on this? A. Huge Yes B. No IF Yes, Give me a THUMBS-UP👍!! Drop your thoughts below👇!

@Polymarket independent.org/article/2025/1…

JUST IN: House committee votes 48-1 to advance the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which would make daylight saving time permanent.

@Polymarket independent.org/article/2026/0…

@LeadingReport independent.org/article/2026/0…

President Trump indicates he will sign bill making daylight saving time permanent.

The false belief in DST-related energy savings has led some state and federal lawmakers to propose making DST permanent. That would be a serious blunder, experience shows. independent.org/article/2026/0…

Climate alarmists are increasingly on the defensive as failed predictions, retracted studies, rising opposition to wind and solar projects, and even Bill Gates shift the conversation toward poverty, disease, and energy realism. Ironically, one of the most promising clean-energy breakthroughs, enhanced geothermal, is being driven by capitalism and innovations pioneered by the oil and gas industry. | Jane Shaw Stroup

Meet the economists who helped shape the ideas behind free societies. independent.org/store/book/uns…

Commerce. Innovation. Opportunity. Long before modern economics textbooks, thinkers were discovering how markets create prosperity.

This Memorial Day, remember the fallen by asking the hardest question: Were these wars necessary? Endless intervention abroad has cost American lives, expanded government power at home, and created wars with no clear end in sight. | Ivan Eland

Memorial Day should be more than sales and long weekends. It should be a time to honor those who gave their lives in war by asking hard questions about why America continues fighting endless conflicts overseas. The founders warned that perpetual war threatens liberty at home, expands executive power, and burdens future generations with debt and sacrifice. The most meaningful way to support our troops is to ensure war remains a last resort—not a permanent state of policy. | Ivan Eland

@bradyleonard independent.org/article/2026/0…

Congress keeps handing away its constitutional authority while presidents govern by executive order and emergency decree. From tariffs to race-based gerrymandering, the Supreme Court is increasingly the only branch enforcing constitutional limits on both parties. | @bradyleonard