What is the Institute for Balanced Government?
The Institute is a registered 501(c)(4) not-for-profit corporation organized to educate Americans on the principles by which this country was founded and to advocate for the restoration of American Constitutional government.
Why does this organization matter?
We founded our organization based upon a few simple ideas. First, our system of American government is easy to understand. All the information we need to understand it is available in any library or bookstore. Second, as government interacts with Americans today, it is operating inconsistently with the original design as codified in the Constitution. Third, this matters a lot because trying to get government to do things it can’t do (or minimally can’t do well) will yield bad results or the failure of the system (example: trillion dollar deficits as unsustainable). Lastly, that the preservation of our Republic lies in understanding and adhering to a respectful balance between the spheres (or units) of government. We must first correct the mis-education of Americans; once people understand how the system should work, we must secondly advocate on multiple fronts for respectful adherence to the original design.
How do you do this? How will this work?
Half of our efforts are focused on educating and organizing like-minded citizens. We create some information, and disseminate information from like-minded organizations, to individuals who are interested in the principles of balanced government, which is just another way of describing the division of powers. We work on organizing local and state chapters of our organization, where like minded people can meet, discuss, and participate in educational efforts.
As an approved 501(c)(4) organization, we can then advocate for political action consistent with those principles; this may include organized outreach to legislators and other forms of political activism.
Our goal is an educated, Constitutionally aware and active electorate, who choose for their representatives people who share the Founding-era vision of government. One way to work towards an aware electorate is to recruit, train and assist individuals who wish to run for political office by articulating a Constitutionally-consistent, balanced government agenda, which is another one of the activities of the Institute.
Who joins this organization? Who runs this organization?
Our members are regular Americans interested in preserving Constitutionally consistent government. In addition to a shared a concern for the future of our Republic, we all share the idea that balanced government is the proper construct upon which all government debate, analysis, and reform must be measured. The old paradigm – ever-larger and increasing power in distant units of government – has proven that it doesn’t work. For information on who runs the Institute, see our Leadership page.
Do you take positions on legal or policy issues or engage in other forms of political advocacy?
Yes. The Institute was organized to advocate the principles of Constitutionally consistent balanced government, because just being educated about what is right is not enough.
I want to learn more. Where do I start?
This is a link to our reading list where you’ll find plenty of resources. Of course, contact us for more information or if you’d like us to consider adding something to this list. Our Archives (located in the sidebar on the right) have our posts where you’ll find valuable information. Be sure to sign up by e-mail for updates, which will include new posts, and information about events where we’ll be speaking about balanced government. If you would like to be active on a more local level in your area, please contact us so we can discuss how to get involved.
