Intercollegiate Studies Institute
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) is a nonprofit educational organization based in Wilmington, Delaware, United States. Founded in 1953, ISI is dedicated to promoting conservative principles and fostering intellectual debate and inquiry on college campuses. The organization provides resources, educational programs, and publications to students, faculty members, and alumni who are interested in exploring conservative ideas and values.
Originally known as the Intercollegiate Society of Individualists, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) was founded in 1953 by Frank Chodorov, a prominent libertarian writer and editor. The organization was established with the aim of promoting individualism, classical liberalism, and free-market economics among college students and faculty members. Under its original name, ISI sought to challenge prevailing collectivist ideologies and champion the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and personal responsibility. Over time, ISI expanded its focus to encompass a broader range of conservative ideas and values, reflecting the diverse intellectual traditions within the conservative movement.
ISI's mission is to educate college students about the foundations of Western civilization, the principles of limited government, free-market economics, and the importance of individual liberty and personal responsibility. The organization sponsors lectures, seminars, conferences, and debates on campuses across the country, bringing together students and scholars to engage in thoughtful discussions on pressing social, political, and philosophical issues.
In addition to its campus outreach efforts, ISI publishes a variety of books, journals, and other educational materials aimed at promoting conservative thought and scholarship. These publications cover a wide range of topics, including political theory, economics, history, and philosophy, and are intended to provide students and scholars with the intellectual resources they need to understand and defend conservative ideas in today's academic and political landscape.
Through its programs and publications, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute seeks to cultivate a new generation of conservative leaders and thinkers who are equipped to articulate and advance conservative principles in the public square. By fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and civil discourse, ISI aims to promote a deeper understanding of the conservative intellectual tradition and its relevance to contemporary issues and challenges.
