It's political landscape, ranging from Dukakis and the Kennedy's to supportive Governor Weld, is diverse and challenging. Each of these factors, of course, differentiates it from every other institute in the room. Nonetheless, participants found it useful to see how Pioneer develops strategies to handle constraints and advantages. The NCPA, established in 1983, develops and promotes private alternatives to government regulation and control, relying on the strengths of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector. John Goodman presented the institute's extensive planning and budgeting process, surprising many participants with the level of detail and rigor pursued on a daily level.
Accountability is enhanced through extensive departmental goals and budgets.
The session concluded with a discussion on major policy areas, including public policy institutes and the internet. While many public policy institutes benefit from NCPA's on line service, Policy Digest few realized the behind the scenes effort that goes into its production. In the third management session, John Blundell, General Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs , shared insights from the very first institute established by Atlas's founder, Sir Antony Fisher in 1955. The IEA is an independent educational charity which seeks to improve public understanding of economic principles and their application to economic, political and social affairs. He described the history and programs of the IEA, covering its impact, overarching themes, research agenda, publishing program, international outreach, mission statement, and operating principles.