The solutions to the Nation's economic problems probably will not come from mainstream academia. Economic textbooks are jam-packed with all sorts of remedies for correcting "market failure" - including quotas, subsidies, taxes, and bailouts, among others. Moreover, most economic educators, who may depend themselves on government funds, endorse government intervention as a panacea for economic difficulties.

AIER holds a very different view. For nearly 75 years this Institute has sponsored education that is independent of any political agenda, special economic interest, or government influence. To wit, we neither seek nor accept foundation grants, government funding or large donations from any single individual.

The purpose of the Summer Program is to enhance the mission of the Institute by educating our future economic educators. We provide intensive training that students simply cannot get in most megaversity graduate programs. In addition, our visiting staff and research fellows expose students to research that is unlikely to reach mainstream classrooms via the conventional textbook route.

The summer program is designed to challenge beliefs. It is designed to encourage students to think critically about their research and the world around them; to not be dogmatic in their beliefs or approach to scientific inquiry; and to not indoctrinate students to a correct view of the economic world.  In short, the goal of the program is to expose students to "good, solid economics."