Ayn Rand Institute#Objectivist Academic Center

{{Infobox organization

| name = Ayn Rand Institute

| image = Ari logo header.png

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| formation = {{start date and age|1985}}

| focus = promote ideas related to Ayn Rand's philosophy

| type = Research and education organization

| status = 501(c)(3) public charity

| tax_id = 22-2570926

| headquarters = Santa Ana, California, U.S.{{cite web |title=Contact Us |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |url=https://ari.aynrand.org/contact-us/ |access-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006041155/https://ari.aynrand.org/contact-us/ |url-status=live }}

| location =

| coords = {{Coord|33.6964|-117.8663|display=inline,title}}

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| leader_title = CEO

| leader_name = Tal Tsfany

| num_staff =

| website = [http://ari.aynrand.org/ ari.aynrand.org]

}}

The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism, commonly known as the Ayn Rand Institute (ARI), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank in Santa Ana, California, that promotes Objectivism, the philosophy developed by Ayn Rand. The organization was established in 1985, three years after Rand's death, by businessman Ed Snider and Leonard Peikoff, Rand's legal heir.

Ideas promoted by the Ayn Rand Institute include atheism, capitalism, and individual rights. The ARI has supported the American Tea Party movement and initially supported the United States' wars against Afghanistan and Iraq but then criticized the execution of these wars.{{Cite news |last=Carroll |first=Rory |date=2012-08-17 |title=Ayn Rand Institute finds dilemma in radical author's evolving legacy |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/17/ayn-rand-institue-evolving-legacy |access-date=2023-10-18 |issn=0261-3077}} A critic of government spending, the organization took a federal loan of between $350,000 and $1 million in 2020 under the Paycheck Protection Program.{{Cite web |last=Solender |first=Andrew |title=Vocal Opponents Of Federal Spending Took PPP Loans, Including Ayn Rand Institute, Grover Norquist Group |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/07/06/vocal-opponents-of-federal-spending-took-ppp-loans-including-ayn-rand-institute-grover-norquist-group/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2020-07-07 |title=Follow the Money |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/07/business/dealbook/ppp-loan-names.html |access-date=2023-10-18 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-08 |title=Libertarians among us: The groups pushing Libertarian ideology in Israel |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-738481 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en-US}}

The institute's stated goal is to "create a culture whose guiding principles are reason, rational self-interest, individualism and laissez-faire capitalism".{{Cite web |last=Lacy |first=Akela |date=2021-12-21 |title=Right-Wing Groups Opposed to Government Aid Cashed In While Collecting PPP Loans |url=https://theintercept.com/2021/12/21/ppp-loans-prager-university-hypocrisy/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}} ARI has several educational and outreach programs, which include providing intellectuals for public appearances, supporting Objectivist campus clubs, supplying Rand's writings to schools and professors, assisting overseas Objectivist institutions, organizing annual conferences, and running the Objectivist Academic Center.{{cite news |title=OC's 'rationally-selfish' Ayn Rand Institute thrives despite recession |last1=Register Staff Writer |last2=Sforza |first2=Teri |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2009/10/05/ocs-rationally-selfish-ayn-rand-institute-thrives-despite-recession/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |newspaper=Orange County Register |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610174234/https://www.ocregister.com/2009/10/05/ocs-rationally-selfish-ayn-rand-institute-thrives-despite-recession/ |archive-date=10 June 2022}}{{cite web |date=August 17, 2009 |title=Overview |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_ari |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129170819/http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_ari |archive-date=January 29, 2014 |access-date=December 19, 2007 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute}}

History

Peikoff, her legal heir, was convinced to found the Ayn Rand Institute after businessman Ed Snider organized a meeting of possible financial supporters in New York in the fall of 1983.{{cite book |title=Ayn Rand Explained: From Tyranny to Tea Party |first=Ronald E. |last=Merrill |location=Chicago |publisher=Open Court |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-8126-9798-8 |page=32}} Peikoff then agreed to be the first chairman of the organization's board of directors.{{cite journal |title=Announcements |journal=The Objectivist Forum |date=December 1984 |volume=5 |issue=6 |pages=13–15}}

In 1983, a group of Objectivists, including George Reisman, organized the Jefferson School of Philosophy, Economics and Politics. The Jefferson School held a two-week-long conference at the University of California, San Diego later that year, a conference which continued to occur every two years and is the predecessor of ARI's current annual Objectivist Conference.

ARI began operations on February 1, 1985, three years after Rand's death, in Marina del Rey, California. The first board of directors included Snider and psychologist Edith Packer. Snider was also one of the founding donors for the organization along with educational entrepreneur Carl Barney. Its first executive director was Michael Berliner, who was previously the chairman of the Department of Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education at California State University, Northridge. ARI also established a board of governors, which initially included Harry Binswanger, Robert Hessen, Edwin Locke, Arthur Mode, George Reisman, Jay Snider, and Mary Ann Sures, with Peter Schwartz as its chairman.{{cite journal |title=Announcements |journal=The Objectivist Forum |date=February 1985 |volume=6 |issue=1 |page=13}} M. Northrup Buechner and George Walsh joined the board of advisors shortly thereafter.{{cite journal |title=Report from the Ayn Rand Institute |journal=The Objectivist Forum |last=Berliner |first=Michael S. |date=October 1985 |volume=6 |issue=5 |pages=14–15}}

ARI's first two projects were aimed at students. One was developing a network of college clubs to study Objectivism. The other was a college scholarship contest for high-school students based on writing an essay about Rand's novel The Fountainhead. Later, additional essay contests were added based on Anthem,{{cite news |last1=Mills |first1=Andrea |title=Young essay writers are latest success story for Portola class |url=https://web.archive.orhttp://www.ocregister.com/2014/09/08/young-essay-writers-are-latest-success-story-for-portola-class/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |work=Orange County Register |publisher=Southern California News Group |date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212032837/http://www.ocregister.com/2014/09/08/young-essay-writers-are-latest-success-story-for-portola-class/ |archive-date=12 December 2017 |location=California |quote=Andrea Badillo, left, and Vanessa Flores, with their eighth-grade English teacher Michael Boucher, show their Ayn Rand Institute "Anthem" essay competition certificates.}} We the Living and Atlas Shrugged.{{cite news |last1=Chandler |first1=Michael Alison |title=Students look for scholarships in some unusual places. |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=1 April 2014 |id={{Gale|A363557378}} |location=Gale General OneFile |quote=The Klingon Language Institute has a scholarship for students pursuing language study, earthly or alien; the United States Bowling Congress gives grants to promising young bowlers; and the Ayn Rand Institute rewards essay writers who are adept at deconstructing her novels, such as "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged."}}{{cite web |url=http://aynrandeducation.com/essay-contests/ |title=Essay Contests |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726101146/http://aynrandeducation.com/essay-contests/ |archive-date=July 26, 2011 }}{{Third-party inline|date=August 2020}} In 1988, ARI began publishing Impact, a newsletter for contributors.{{cite journal |title=Announcements |journal=The Objectivist Forum |date=December 1987 |volume=8 |issue=6 |page=14}}

In 1989, a philosophical dispute resulted in ARI ending its association with philosopher David Kelley.{{cite book |title=The Contested Legacy of Ayn Rand: Truth and Toleration in Objectivism |last=Kelley |first=David |location=New Brunswick, New Jersey |publisher=Transaction Publishers |year=2000 |isbn=0-7658-0863-3 |edition=paperback |oclc=44727861 |page=15}} Some members of the board of advisors agreed with Kelley and also left, including George Walsh.{{cite journal |title=A Statement |journal=The Intellectual Activist |date=November 17, 1989 |volume=5 |issue=3 |first=George |last=Walsh |page=5}} Kelley subsequently founded his own competing institute now known as The Atlas Society, which remains critical of ARI's stance on strict loyalty to Rand's principles.{{cite web |url=http://www.atlassociety.org/ayn_rand_institute_vs_atlas_society |title=TAS vs. ARI: A Question of Objectivity and Independence |first=William R. |last=Thomas |publisher=The Atlas Society |access-date=May 25, 2012 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516162816/http://www.atlassociety.org/ayn_rand_institute_vs_atlas_society |url-status=live }}

In 1994, ARI launched the Objectivist Graduate Center, which offered both distance-learning and in-person courses.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbWgESQV9Eo |title=The Ayn Rand Institute's First Thirty Years (OCON 2015) |website=YouTube |access-date=December 5, 2017 |archive-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524171704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbWgESQV9Eo&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}

In January 2000, Berliner retired as executive director, replaced by Yaron Brook, then an assistant professor of finance at Santa Clara University. Onkar Ghate began working for ARI later that year and ARI launched the Objectivist Academic Center.

In 2002, ARI moved from Marina del Rey to larger offices in Irvine, California.{{cite news |title=Ayn Rand Institute to Move to Orange County |first=Vivian |last=Letran |date=June 7, 2002 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-07-me-rand7-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016032049/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/jun/07/local/me-rand7 |url-status=live }} In 2003, ARI launched the Anthem Fellowship for the Study of Objectivism, a fellowship that financially supports universities who have Objectivist professors.

Charity Navigator, which rates charitable and educational organizations to inform potential donors, gives ARI two out of four stars in 2020.{{cite web |url=http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=8345 |title=Charity Navigator Rating – The Ayn Rand Institute |publisher=Charity Navigator |access-date= June 10, 2022 }} {{as of|September 2021}}, ARI's board of directors consists of Brook; Tsfany; Harry Binswanger, philosopher and long-time associate of Rand; Tara Smith, professor of philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin;{{cite web |url=http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/philosophy/faculty/smithta |title=Tara A. Smith |access-date=October 13, 2012 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020081319/http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/philosophy/faculty/smithta |url-status=live }} and John Allison, board member and former CEO of the Cato Institute and former CEO of BB&T.;{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/koch-brothers-cato-institute-announce-terms-of-settlement/2012/06/25/gJQAQEJJ2V_blog.html |title=Koch brothers, Cato Institute announce terms of settlement |access-date=June 28, 2012 |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Allen |last=McDuffee |date=June 26, 2012 |archive-date=June 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627151826/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/koch-brothers-cato-institute-announce-terms-of-settlement/2012/06/25/gJQAQEJJ2V_blog.html |url-status=live }} Larry Salzman of the Pacific Legal Foundation; Tim Blum, a Chicago real-estate developer; Robert Mayhew, professor of philosophy at Seton Hall University; Jim Brown, CFA; Onkar Ghate, Chief Philosophy Officer of the institute.

Peikoff retains a cooperative and influential relationship with ARI.{{cite web |first=Yaron |last=Brook |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=26109 |title=The Ayn Rand Institute: A Statement from ARI about the Resignation of John McCaskey from Our Board of Directors |access-date=October 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018112415/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=26109 |archive-date=October 18, 2011 }} In 2006, he remarked that he approved of the work ARI has done{{cite video |people=Peikoff, Leonard |year=2004 |title=Leonard Peikoff: In His Own Words |medium=DVD |publisher=Northern River Productions |isbn=0-9734653-2-8}} and in November 2010 that the executive director "has done a splendid job".{{cite web |url=http://www.peikoff.com/peikoff-vs-an-ari-board-member/ |first=Leonard |last=Peikoff |title=Peikoff vs. an ARI Board Member |date=November 5, 2010 |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218162420/http://www.peikoff.com/peikoff-vs-an-ari-board-member/}} Peikoff was a featured speaker at the 2007 and 2010 Objectivist Conferences.{{cite web |url=http://www.objectivistconferences.com |title=Objectivist Conferences |access-date=July 15, 2021 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023192907/http://www.objectivistconferences.com/ |url-status=live }} In August 2010, he demanded a change to ARI's board of directors, resulting in the resignation of John McCaskey.{{cite web |url=http://www.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/index.php/resignation |title=My resignation from the Board of Directors of the Ayn Rand Institute and of the Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship |first=John P. |last=McCaskey |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628075543/http://www.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/index.php/resignation |url-status=live }}

A central goal for ARI throughout the 2010s has been to spread Objectivism globally. ARI helped establish the Ayn Rand Center Israel in 2012, the Ayn Rand Institute Europe in 2015 {{cite web |url=http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/philosophy/the-ayn-rand-institute-europe/ |title=Adam Smith Institute announcement on the founding of ARI Europe |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604073857/https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/philosophy/the-ayn-rand-institute-europe/ |url-status=live }} and the Ayn Rand Center Japan in 2017. Each of these organizations are separate legal entities from the United States-based ARI, but they are all affiliated with ARI.

In January 2017, ARI announced Jim Brown as its CEO, succeeding Yaron Brook as its operational executive.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/tn-wknd-et-0219-ayn-rand-institute-20170218-story.html |title=Jim Brown, new Ayn Rand Institute CEO: 'Culture and society out there can look pretty irrational. Just look at the last election' |author=Holleran, Scott |website=Los Angeles Times |date=February 17, 2017 |access-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805101106/http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/tn-wknd-et-0219-ayn-rand-institute-20170218-story.html |url-status=live }} In June 2018, Tal Tsfany, co-founder of the Ayn Rand Center Israel, took over as the president and CEO of ARI.{{cite web |url=https://www.theobjectivestandard.com/2018/03/tal-tsfany-next-president-and-ceo-of-the-ayn-rand-institute/ |title=Tal Tsfany: Next President and CEO of the Ayn Rand Institute |author=Biddle, Craig |website=TheObjectiveStandard.com |date=March 28, 2018 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405214502/https://www.theobjectivestandard.com/2018/03/tal-tsfany-next-president-and-ceo-of-the-ayn-rand-institute/ |url-status=live }}

In 2020, ARI received a Paycheck Protection Program loan of between $350K and $1 million,{{cite news |last1=Hirsch |first1=Lauren |last2=Pramuck |first2=Jacob |date=6 July 2020 |title=Trump administration releases list of companies that received most money from small business bailout loans |work=CNBC |publisher=Comcast |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/06/coronavirus-stimulus-list-of-ppp-small-business-loan-recipients-released.html |access-date=19 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712090807/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/06/coronavirus-stimulus-list-of-ppp-small-business-loan-recipients-released.html |archive-date=12 July 2020}}Coster, Helen. (July 7, 2020). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ppp-ayn-rand-idUSKBN248026 In sign of the times, Ayn Rand Institute approved for PPP loan]. Reuters. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708065030/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-ppp-ayn-rand-idUSKBN248026 |date=July 8, 2020 }}.{{cite web|last=Solender|first=Andrew|title=Vocal Opponents Of Federal Spending Took PPP Loans, Including Ayn Rand Institute, Grover Norquist Group|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/07/06/vocal-opponents-of-federal-spending-took-ppp-loans-including-ayn-rand-institute-grover-norquist-group/|access-date=July 13, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=July 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708065134/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/07/06/vocal-opponents-of-federal-spending-took-ppp-loans-including-ayn-rand-institute-grover-norquist-group/|url-status=live}} which Binswanger and Ghate described as "partial restitution for government-inflicted losses".{{cite web |title=To Take or Not to Take |first1=Harry |last1=Binswanger |first2=Onkar |last2=Ghate |website=New Ideal |url=https://newideal.aynrand.org/to-take-or-not-to-take/ |date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706225046/https://newideal.aynrand.org/to-take-or-not-to-take/ |url-status=live }} The decision was criticized due to the incongruity of some organizations previously opposed to federal spending receiving the funds during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic impact on small businesses.

Ideas promoted

ARI promotes Objectivism, the philosophy developed by Ayn Rand. ARI sponsors writers and speakers who apply Objectivism to contemporary issues, including philosophy, politics and art.{{cite web |title=Ayn Rand Center: Op-Eds |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=commentary_type_op_eds |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829014450/http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=commentary_type_op_eds |archive-date=August 29, 2012 }}

Since Objectivism advocates atheism, ARI promotes the separation of church and state and its writers argue that the religious right poses a threat to individual rights.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}} They have argued against displaying religious symbols such as the Ten Commandments in government facilities{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=10889 |title=The Ten Commandments vs. America |first=Harry |last=Binswanger |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |date=October 25, 2004 |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001052536/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=10889 |archive-date=October 1, 2009 }} and against faith-based initiatives.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7475 |title=Faith-Based Initiatives Are an Assault on Secular Government |first=Alex |last=Epstein |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |date=February 4, 2003 |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928083542/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7475 |url-status=live }} ARI intellectuals argue that religion is incompatible with American ideals{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5360 |title=Religion vs. America |first=Leonard |last=Peikoff |date=November 11, 2002 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928080820/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5360 |archive-date=September 28, 2009 }} Reprint of a speech delivered by Peikoff at the Ford Hall Forum in 1986. and opposes the teaching of "intelligent design" in public schools.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=11555 |title="Intelligent Design" Is about Religion versus Reason |first=Keith |last=Lockitch |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |date=December 11, 2005 |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525234708/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=11555 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }}

ARI is strongly supportive of free speech and opposes all forms of censorship, including laws that ban obscenity and hate speech.{{cite web |url=http://harvardpolitics.com/harvard/free-speech-conservative-value/ |title=Free Speech Can't Become a "Conservative" Value |author=Driver, Eve |website=HarvardPolitics.com |access-date=November 29, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042235/http://harvardpolitics.com/harvard/free-speech-conservative-value/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/313161-carlie-hebdo-two-years-later-will-america-continue-to-protect/ |title=Charlie Hebdo two years later: Will America continue to protect free speech? |author=Simpson, Steve |website=TheHill.com |date=January 7, 2017 |access-date=November 29, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042718/http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/civil-rights/313161-carlie-hebdo-two-years-later-will-america-continue-to-protect |url-status=live }} In response to the Muhammad cartoons controversy, ARI started a Free Speech Campaign in 2006.{{Cite journal |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/DocServer/impact_201002.pdf |title=Highlights from the first 25 years |publisher=The Ayn Rand Institute |journal=Impact |date=February 2010 |volume=16 |issue=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112025257/http://www.aynrand.org/site/DocServer/impact_201002.pdf |archive-date=November 12, 2013 }} Steve Simpson, formerly director of legal studies at ARI, has argued that campaign finance is a free speech issue and that laws that limit it are a violation of the First Amendment. Accordingly, Simpson and ARI strongly supports Citizens United.{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/campaign/294665-overturning-citizens-united-would-be-a-disaster-for-free-speech/ |title=Overturning Citizens United would be a disaster for free speech |author=Simpson, Steve |website=TheHill.com |date=September 6, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040046/http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/campaign/294665-overturning-citizens-united-would-be-a-disaster-for-free-speech |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703421204576329642637361406 |title=Stephen Colbert's Free Speech Problem |author=Simpson, Steve |author2=Sherman, Paul |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=November 29, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040007/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703421204576329642637361406 |url-status=live }}

ARI holds that the motivation for Islamic terrorism comes from their religiosity, not poverty or a reaction to Western policies.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13279&news_iv_ctrl=1064 |title=The Terrorists' Motivation: Islam |first=Alex |last=Epstein |date=July 26, 2005 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525235920/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13279&news_iv_ctrl=1064 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }} They have urged that the United States use overwhelming, retaliatory force to "end states who sponsor terrorism", using whatever means are necessary to end the threat.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=5207 |title=End States Who Sponsor Terrorism |date=October 2, 2001 |first=Leonard |last=Peikoff |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625223113/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=5207 |archive-date=June 25, 2010 }} In his article "End States Who Sponsor Terrorism", which was published as a full page ad in The New York Times, Peikoff wrote: "The choice today is mass death in the United States or mass death in the terrorist nations. Our Commander-In-Chief must decide whether it is his duty to save Americans or the governments who conspire to kill them." Although some at ARI initially supported the invasion of Iraq, it has criticized how the Iraq War was handled.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13587&news_iv_ctrl=1021 |title=What We Owe Our Soldiers |first=Alex |last=Epstein |date=May 28, 2006 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525234718/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13587&news_iv_ctrl=1021 |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }} Since October 2, 2001, ARI has held that Iran should be the primary target in the war against "Islamic totalitarianism".

ARI is generally supportive of Israel.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5171 |title=We Are Either With Israel, Or We Are With the Terrorists |first=Robert |last=Tracinski |date=April 1, 2002 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001052328/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5171| archive-date=October 1, 2009}} Of Zionism, Yaron Brook writes: "Zionism fused a valid concern – self-preservation amid a storm of hostility – with a toxic premise – ethnically based collectivism and religion."{{cite news |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1184168546756&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter |title=You don't fight a tactic |work=Jerusalem Post Online Edition |first=Orit |last=Arfa |date=July 12, 2007 |access-date=August 18, 2009}} ARI is highly critical of environmentalism and animal rights, arguing that they are destructive to human well-being.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5200 |title=Man vs. Nature |first=Peter |last=Schwartz |date=April 23, 1999 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219110033/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5200 |archive-date=December 19, 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_animal_rights |title=Animal 'Rights' and the New Man Haters |first=Edwin |last=Locke |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114141221/http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=objectivism_animal_rights |archive-date=January 14, 2009 }} ARI is also highly critical of diversity and affirmative action programs as well as multiculturalism, arguing that they are based on racist premises that ignore the commonality of a shared humanity.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7126 |title=Multiculturalism: The New Racism |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926072601/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7126 |archive-date=September 26, 2009 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_topic_racism_and_diversity |title=Racism and Diversity |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114141216/http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_topic_racism_and_diversity |archive-date=January 14, 2009 }} ARI supports women's right to choose abortion,{{cite web |url=http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=2406 |title=Supreme Court Should Protect Right to Abortion in Current Partial-Birth Case |first=Glenn |last=Woiceshyn |date=April 24, 2000 |publisher=Capitalism Magazine |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114143925/http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=2406 |archive-date=January 14, 2010 }} voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=10953 |title=A Culture of Living Death |first=Alex |last=Epstein |date=April 1, 2005 |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=August 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926035422/http://www.aynrand.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=10953 |archive-date=September 26, 2009 }}

ARI denounces neoconservatism in general. For example, C. Bradley Thompson wrote an article entitled "The Decline and Fall of American Conservatism",{{cite journal |url=http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2006-fall/decline-fall-american-conservatism.asp |title=The Decline and Fall of American Conservatism |first=C. Bradley |last=Thompson |journal=The Objective Standard |date=Fall 2006 |volume=1 |issue=3 |access-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112031254/http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2006-fall/decline-fall-american-conservatism.asp |archive-date=November 12, 2013 }} which was later turned with Yaron Brook into a book called Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea.{{cite journal |url=http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2010-fall/neoconservatism-thompson-brook.asp |title=Neoconservatism: An Obituary for an Idea by C. Bradley Thompson with Yaron Brook |first=Burgess |last=Laughlin |journal=The Objective Standard |date=Fall 2010 |volume=5 |issue=3 |access-date=February 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112031346/http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2010-fall/neoconservatism-thompson-brook.asp |archive-date=November 12, 2013 }}

The Jewish Chronicle and The Jerusalem Post described ARI as a right-wing organization.{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Masked protesters halt campus event featuring Israeli speaker |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/antifa-carl-benjamin-sargon-akkad-yaron-brook-kings-college-ayn-rand-institute-protest-1.460069 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=The Jewish Chronicle}}

Programs and activism

ARI runs a variety of programs, many of which are aimed at students. It sends free books to schools, sponsors student essay contests and campus clubs and offers financial assistance to students applying to graduate school. It also has an online bookstore, offers internships for current and recently graduated college students and provides speakers for public lectures and media appearances.{{cite web |url=http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_campus_index |title=Student Clubs |publisher=Ayn Rand Institute |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=December 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220193832/http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_campus_index |archive-date=February 20, 2014 }}

In October 2012, ARI helped establish the Ayn Rand Center Israel (ARCI) to promote Objectivism in Israel and the Middle East.{{cite web |author=Elis, Niv |date=May 19, 2016 |title=Ayn Rand-inspired start-up award debuts in Israel, but carries controversy |url=http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Transportation-app-Moovit-wins-Ayn-Rand-inspired-start-up-prize-454343 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522213505/http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Transportation-app-Moovit-wins-Ayn-Rand-inspired-start-up-prize-454343 |archive-date=May 22, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2022 |website=JPost.com |quote=Brook acknowledged that there was some seeming contradiction between Rand's philosophy and the story of Israel's high-tech success, which has by many accounts benefited from government support for research and development, private-public partnerships and guarantees that helped launch the country's venture capital environment. The nomination for the prize, for example, did not require companies to have forgone any kind of government grants, subsidized credit, government- backed accelerators, and so on.}} Its current director is Boaz Arad. In 2016, ARCI launched the Atlas Award for the Best Israeli Start-up, presented annually at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.{{cite web |author=Shapira, Ariel |title=Tech Talk: Israel's Fortune 500 companies |url=http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tech-Talk-Israels-Fortune-500-companies-496935 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109225114/http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tech-Talk-Israels-Fortune-500-companies-496935 |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |access-date=November 9, 2017 |website=JPost.com|date=June 15, 2017 }} Judges for the award include Yaron Brook and Shlomo Kalish.{{cite web |title=In spirit of Ayn Rand, Israeli entrepreneurship to get a boost |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-spirit-of-ayn-rand-israeli-entrepreneurship-to-get-a-boost/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221222028/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-spirit-of-ayn-rand-israeli-entrepreneurship-to-get-a-boost/ |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2017 |website=TimesofIsrael.com}} Moovit was the first recipient of the award in 2016 and Zebra Medical Vision won the award in 2017.

In April 2015, ARI helped establish the Ayn Rand Institute Europe to promote Objectivism in Europe.{{cite web |title=The Ayn Rand Institute Europe |url=https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/philosophy/the-ayn-rand-institute-europe |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085649/https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/philosophy/the-ayn-rand-institute-europe |archive-date=October 22, 2017 |access-date=July 12, 2017 |website=AdamSmith.org}} The current chairman of ARI Europe is Lars Seir Christensen, CEO and co-founder of Saxo Bank. In February 2017, ARI helped establish the Ayn Rand Center Japan.{{cite web |title=About ARCJ |url=https://aynrandjapan.org/english.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702175808/https://aynrandjapan.org/english.html |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |access-date=July 2, 2018 |publisher=Ayn Rand Center Japan}} ARI has also helped guide the independent Spain-based Objetivismo Internacional, which seeks to spread Objectivism in the Spanish-speaking world.{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://objetivismo.org/about-us/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008030146/https://objetivismo.org/about-us/ |archive-date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=October 7, 2017 |website=Objetivismo.org}}

=The Atlas Award=

The stated goal of the Ayn Rand Institute Atlas Award is to encourage entrepreneurship. The institute states it is awarded to honour the most innovative entrepreneur who through wealth building and life enhancing enterprise ambition uses their technological developments to make the "world a better place" which reflects the essence of Ayn Rand's philosophy connecting these values "to one of the best parts of the Israeli economy".{{cite web |url=https://ari.aynrand.org/press-releases/ayn-rand-center-israel-presents-atlas-award-to-best-israeli-startup-company/ |title=Ayn Rand Center Israel Presents Atlas Award to Best Israeli Startup Company |last= |first= |date=May 20, 2016 |website=The Ayn Rand Institute |access-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507122121/https://ari.aynrand.org/press-releases/ayn-rand-center-israel-presents-atlas-award-to-best-israeli-startup-company/ |url-status=dead}} CEO of Moovit Nir Erez, the recipient of the award in 2016, sought to distance himself from controversial politics surrounding the Institute and award, stating "We are purely trying to focus on transportation and moving, not on political issues. On the contrary, we would like to be as apolitical as possible."