The IEA believes in the power of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government to improve people’s lives. We research and develop policies that promote competition, innovation, and personal responsibility, underpinned by the rule of law and strong institutions. Our work is grounded in classical liberal and free-market economic principles. 

The IEA holds no corporate position. The views in each of our publications, articles, blogs or podcasts are those of the author or speaker alone, not those of the Institute, its managing trustees, Academic Advisory Council members or senior staff. Our contributors share a broad school of thought but often disagree about the best approach to solving economic and social challenges from a free market perspective.

There is a great range of topics that the IEA has published work on in its long history, from monetary policy to planning, tax policy to lifestyle regulation. The majority of our work focuses broadly on economic policy in the broadest sense. In particular, we research issues related to economic growth, productivity, regulation, tax and government spending, labour markets, housing and infrastructure, energy policy, and consumer freedom.  

IEA research is informed by a consistent set of principles – namely, support for free markets, individual freedom, and limited government. While that gives our work a clear philosophical foundation, we strive for intellectual rigour, transparency, and openness to debate. Our research goes through a strict, academic peer review process that ensures our work is of the highest quality.  

Our publications will tackle opposing viewpoints head on and lay out the logic of the author and argument clearly and using publicly available data, so readers can always make up their own minds. We welcome scrutiny and alternative perspectives and regularly engage with those who disagree, including through events and public discussions. 

No. The Institute of Economic Affairs is entirely independent of any political party or group. Our role is to provide rigorous research to improve public understanding of the role of markets in solving societal problems. We hope to improve the fundamental understanding of the institutions of a free society and to change the climate of opinion in a pro-liberty direction to foster the best possible outcomes for our economy and society.

We do not work for nor support any individual political party or politician in the UK or abroad, nor do we take sides in elections or referendums. Our supporters come from all the major parties, and often from none.

We do not lobby for specific outcomes in legislation or action by government, nor do we campaign for particular issues. 

Political campaigns or parties may use our work to support their policies or statements, but it is without any presumption of endorsement from the IEA. We are proud that politicians and civil servants seek our advice, whether privately or publicly, for example in testimony to parliamentary select committees. We may host politicians or political campaigners on our platforms, such as at events or on podcasts, but this is never an endorsement of that individual’s party, campaign, or views. 

The IEA is funded by voluntary donations from individuals, foundations and companies who support our mission, plus income from subscriptions, book sales, studio work and events. 

We are very grateful to publicly recognise the generosity of our supporters here, but we do not make demands of all our supporters to be publicly listed. We respect the privacy rights of donors to donate to charity without being publicly identified if they so choose. Reasons for privacy rest with donors but include modesty, personal security, or a desire to avoid being targeted for donations by other organisations. 

In a free society people should be free to associate with whomever they like and back any cause, without fear or favour. The conclusions of our research are never dictated by our supporters. The IEA and retains full editorial control over all its output.