The Stiftung Marktwirtschaft (Market Economy Foundation) is a liberal German economic
think tank
A think tank, or policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most think tanks are non-governmenta ...
which counts several leading liberal German economists as members and contributors.
History and organization
The foundation belongs to the Stockholm Network. The scientific advisory committee associated with the think tank is known under the name “Kronberger Kreis.” Since 1998, the foundation has awarded Wolfram Engels Prize ("Wolfram-Engels-Preis").
The foundation was founded in 1982 under the name “Frankfurter Institut.” Since 2001, it has been based in
Berlin, Germany
Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constituent ...
. According to its statements, the foundation does not receive state funding and is financed through the sale of its publications, donations, and membership fees. The directors of the foundation are
Bernd Raffelhüschen and
Michael Eilfort
Michael may refer to:
People
* Michael (given name), a given name
* Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael
Given name "Michael"
* Michael (archangel), ''first'' of God's archangels in the Jewish, Christian and ...
, who was the chief of staff of German Christian-Democrat politician
Friedrich Merz. Among the foundations past economic contributors was
Gerhard Schick
Gerhard Schick (born 18 April 1972) is a German economist and finance expert who heads Finance Watch Deutschland. He previously served as a member of the German Bundestag for the Green Party.
Education and early career
After completing his secon ...
, the financial speaker of the German Green Party.
The primary areas of focus of the foundation include the labor market, the social security system, resources, and taxation. In contrast to other like-minded initiatives, the foundation implements its goals through direct discussions with policymakers.
Tax Law Commission
The foundation’s “Tax Law Commission” (Kommission Steuergesetzbuch), which began its activities in 2004 under the leadership of
Joachim Lang, proposes changes to the tax system and includes 76 economic, legal, business, and political experts, including
Friedrich Merz,
Ingolf Deubel,
Hermann Otto Solms
Hermann Otto Solms (born Hermann Otto Prinz zu Solms-Hohensolms-Lich; 24 November 1940) is a German politician of the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
Between 1980 and 2013, he was a member of the Bundestag, from 1991 to 1998 as Chairman of the FD ...
, and
Kurt Faltlhauser
Kurt Faltlhauser (born 14 September 1940 in Munich) is a German politician, representative of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria.
He was a member of the Landtag of Bavaria between 1974 and 1980 and 1998 and 2008. He was from 1994 to 1995 Par ...
.
Swift Prize for Economic Satire
Beginning in 2008, the foundation has awarded the biennial Swift Prize for Economic Satire, named after Jonathan Swift. The prize rewards authors of publications that have furthered free, market oriented economic policies with a €10,000 prize. The winners have been:
*2008: Volker Reiche, author of the comic strip “Strizz”
*2010: Martin Suter, Swiss author of the satirical column “Business Class”
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Think tanks based in Germany
Organisations based in Berlin
Advocacy groups in Germany