Reason Foundation

Reason Foundation
Founder(s)Robert W. Poole Jr., Manuel S. Klausner, Tibor R. Machan
Established1978 (1978)[1]
MissionAdvancing a free society by developing, applying, and promoting libertarian principles, including individual liberty, free markets, and the rule of law
FocusPublic policy
PresidentDavid Nott[1]
ChairGerry Ohrstrom
Key peopleDrew Carey, Nick Gillespie, Matt Welch
BudgetRevenue: $10,473,482
Expenses: $9,760,275
(FYE September 2015)[2]
Subsidiariesreason.com
reason TV
Slogan"free minds and free markets"
Location
Websitereason.org

The Reason Foundation is an American libertarian think tank that was founded in 1978.[3][4] The foundation publishes the magazine Reason. Based in Los Angeles, California, it is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. According to its website, the foundation is committed to advancing "the values of individual freedom and choice, limited government, and market-friendly policies." In the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report (Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania), the foundation was number 41 (of 60) in the "Top Think Tanks in the United States".[5]

Reason Foundation's policy research areas include: air traffic control, American domestic monetary policy, school choice, eminent domain, government reform, housing, land use, immigration, privatization, public–private partnerships, urban traffic and congestion, transportation, industrial hemp, medical marijuana, police raids and militarization, free trade, globalization, and telecommunications.[6] Affiliated projects include Drew Carey's Reason TV video website. Reason Foundation staff also regularly contribute to the Out of Control Policy Blog.

Reason Foundation cofounder Robert Poole is an MIT-trained engineer and the author of Cutting Back City Hall.[7] The book provided the intellectual support for Margaret Thatcher's privatization efforts in the United Kingdom during the 1980s.[8] Poole remains at Reason serving as an officer on the organization's board of trustees and director of transportation. He founded Reason magazine with Manny Klausner and Tibor Machan.[7]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference ReasonFAQ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Reason Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  3. ^ Abrams, Garry (June 25, 1986). "The Coming of Age for the Reason Foundation: Libertarian Think Tank Is Relocating Here in Bid for a Higher Profile and Greater Clout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  4. ^ Stewart, James B. (June 13, 2012). "How Broccoli Landed on Supreme Court Menu". New York Times.
  5. ^ McGann (Director), James G. (February 4, 2015). "2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report". Retrieved February 14, 2015..
  6. ^ "Reason Foundation". 29 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Robert Poole". Reason Foundation. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  8. ^ John Blundell, "Margaret Thatcher: A Portrait of an Iron Lady", 100.