FEE: The Tradition of Freedom
The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), one of the
oldest free-market organizations in the United States, was
founded in 1946 by Leonard E. Read to study and advance the
freedom philosophy. FEE's mission is to offer the most
consistent case for the "first principles" of freedom: the
sanctity of private property, individual liberty, the rule
of law, the free market, and the moral superiority of
individual choice and responsibility over coercion.
For decades these ideals have been ignored to an alarming
degree. Despite the end of the Cold War and the demise of
the Soviet Empire, too many Americans do not seem to
appreciate the very concept upon which the Founding Fathers
established the American Republic.
Our vital task is to counter this trend. To help people
rediscover how essential freedom is to human existence and
to demonstrate how dangerous it is to move toward any form
of collectivism, FEE offers a comprehensive educational
program to all students of liberty.
The Foundation's periodicals, The Freeman: Ideas on
Liberty, Notes from FEE and In Brief (an
e-commentary) offer timeless insights on the positive case
for human liberty to thousands of people of all ages in
America and around the world. Throughout the year FEE's
lectures, programs and seminars bring thousands of
individuals together to explore the foundations of free
enterprise and constitutionally limited government. FEE also
plays an important role in publishing and promoting
essential books on the freedom philosophy.
During its long and illustrious history, FEE has published or hosted
lectures by some of the finest minds of the modern age, including Ludwig
von Mises, F.A. Hayek, Henry Hazlitt, Milton Friedman, James Buchanan,
Vernon Smith, Israel Kirzner, Walter Williams, George Stigler, Frank
Chodorov, John Chamberlain, F.A. "Baldy" Harper, William F. Buckley Jr.,
among many others.
FEE established its home on a rambling seven-acre 19th-century estate
on the Hudson River, 22 miles north of Manhattan. The 20,000 square-foot
main building, the "Big House", has offices, library and archives,
classroom, a commercial kitchen, a formal dining room, a large reception
lounge, and a men's dormitory. Women stay in the Carriage House
dormitory, next to the main building.
The Foundation for Economic Education is a non-political,
non-profit, tax-exempt educational foundation and accepts no taxpayer
money. FEE is supported solely by contributions from private
individuals, foundations, and businesses and by the sales of its
publications.
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