Institute for Policy Studies Overview

For more than four decades, IPS has transformed ideas into action for peace, justice, and the environment. The Institute has strengthened and linked social movements through articulation of root principles and fundamental rights, research and analysis on current events and issues, and connections to policymakers, academics, and activists at all levels. As a multi-issue think tank that has worked with the movements that shaped the late 20th Century, from Civil Rights onwards, we offer a cross-cutting analysis with a historical perspective.

Major areas of work
Mission and Values
IPS Board of Directors
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The Institute for Policy Studies is a 501(c)3 organization under the IRS code. Donations are tax-deductible.

Major Areas of Work

To facilitate long-term planning as well as rapid response to world events, IPS's projects are configured in three clusters, supported by an administrative and outreach cluster. However, we foster interaction and collaboration among all staff so that our research cuts across academic disciplines to a broad view of how the world really works.

Democracy and Fairness Cluster

The projects of the Democracy and Fairness Cluster unite scholars, local activists, national advocacy groups, and policymakers to further democracy and economic justice in the United States. The Progressive Challenge works with over 200 progressive groups in pursuing the consensually created Fairness Agenda for America. Paths for the 21st Century is a collaborative research project seeking to define the economic, social, and political requisites for human decency over the next generation. The Break the Chain Campaign is an IPS-led coalition seeking to end the exploitation and abuse of thousands of domestic workers brought to the U.S. to work for diplomats, officials of international agencies, and others. The Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA) teaches the basics of organizing, management, communications, and other movement-building skills to hundreds of activists each year. IPS also participates in the Democracy Action Project, a youth-led coalition to tranform democracy.

Global Justice Cluster

The international flow of capital is reshaping lives and the environment dramatically all around the world, with the world’s poorest people paying the price for prosperity for the few. The Institute’s Global Justice Cluster comprises three projects that collaborate with activists and scholars throughout the world to generate alternatives to the current, corporate-led globalization. The Global Economy project offers broad analysis of free trade initiatives and their impacts, and serves as a watchdog on the world’s wealthiest corporations. The Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN) examines the social and environmental consequences of public lending for fossil fuel projects. The Ecotourism project studies how ecotourism can aid sustainable and equitable development in the Global South, with a particular focus on certification initiatives. The New Voices on Globalization coalition, which includes IPS, works to increase the visibility of perspectives of a more diverse range of people in the anti-corporate globalization movement.

Peace and Security Cluster

The projects of the Peace and Security Cluster seek to make the U.S. a more responsible global leader and global partner. Foreign Policy In Focus offers policymakers and journalists ready analysis of breaking world events. The New Internationalism project offers an unflinching progressive voice on UN and Middle East affairs. The Drug Policy project advocates a harm-reduction approach to the “War on Drugs” at home and abroad. The Nuclear Policy project examines U.S. management of nuclear weaponry, power production, and waste management. The Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards recognizes champions of human rights in the name of two IPS staffers who were killed in 1976 by agents of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Senior Scholars and Internships

Established public scholars contribute expertise and insight to each cluster as IPS Senior Scholars. The Institute takes on scores of interns each year, offering each an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our research.

Administration and Outreach Cluster

Experienced professionals provide administrative, public relations, and fundraising support, making it possible for our researchers to focus their attention on substantive work.

Mission Statement

The Institute for Policy Studies strengthens social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials. Since 1963, we have empowered people to build healthy and democratic societies in communities, the U.S., and the world.

Values Statement

IPS public scholars pursue their work with a common set of 10 core values and principles: peace, justice, environmental sustainability, participatory democracy, human rights, freedom, dignity, diversity, community, and international law.

Disclaimer on Taking Positions

IPS works with but is independent of political parties and movements. We embrace internal diversity of thought, and believe that discussion and debate are crucial in forging solid, practical public scholarship. In order to give our scholars and projects the widest freedom to explore and express their own views, IPS as an institution does not take positions on issues.

For more on the origins and history of the Institute, visit the historical archive hosted by our sister organization in Amsterdam, the Transnational Institute.

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Funding
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Ploughshares Fund