What is the American Enterprise Institute?: The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) is an independent, conservative, pro-business think tank that solicits support via contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals.
Background: Founded in the early 40's, AEI originally served as the spokesperson of big business by promoting and proving argumentation for free market ideals. In the 1970's the organization witnessed great growth as it expanded from only a handful of scholars to a large organization.
What Does AEI Do?: The institute sponsors the publication of books, research and holds conferences and other events with the stated purpose of improving " the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism--limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility, vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate." AEI's research is divided into three main categories: Economic Policy Studies, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies and Political and Social Studies.
Ties to the Neoconservative Movement: AEI has provided much of the intellectual framework for the policies of the second Bush administration including the Iraq War, with many AEI scholars playing official roles in the administration and many administration figures transitioning to AEI including Paul Wolfowitz, John Bolton.
Funding: Source Watch, a project of the center For Media and Democracy details AEI's funding here.
