Our values

Adam Smith International (ASI) has built upon the original ideas of Adam Smith as these apply to policy and practice in modern economic development and government reform. The practical policy reforms advanced by ASI to promote the benefits of competition, good government and individual liberty have been central to the social and economic success of many societies throughout the world.
 
ASI’s philosophy stems from a group of core values, which we have applied to the problems of developing and transitional countries all over the world. These values address the issues of:
 

• competitive markets: which strengthen incentives, foster innovation, promote transparency and restore confidence and enterprise;
• honest government: which genuinely seeks development that responds to the priorities of all its citizens, which avoids even the appearance of corruption or sectional preference, and that secures value for money from domestic and international expenditure; and
• individual liberties: which include minimum standards of material and social well being, demand the widely agreed human rights, imply empowerment of all (including the poorest and most disadvantaged) and can lead to pressures for improvement in institutions and services.