THE MODERN
WHIG INSTITUTE
Home of the Great American Conversation
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.”
— Abraham Lincoln
THE WHIG TRADITION:
VALUES IN ACTION,
FOR THE PEOPLE.
Throughout our history, American Whigs have unflinchingly stood for representative government, robust civic associations, individual rights, ordered liberty, social and economic progress, modernization, public education, a vibrant legislative branch, and ongoing cooperation between the public and private sectors.
ROOTED IN HISTORY.
COMMITTED TO PROGRESS.
While our roots lie deep in history, we are a thoroughly contemporary political movement. We are informed by the past, not bound to it. Today, as humanity faces more profound challenges — and greater opportunities — than perhaps ever before, we believe the traditional Whig emphasis on effective government, ethical public service, forward thinking, pragmatic planning, common sense, compromise and cooperation offers the best path forward toward the betterment of our nation, and our world.
BY OUR COMMUNITY. FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.
Ours is a movement driven by citizens rather than vested interests. The Institute does not serve as an outlet for any industry, political party or financial association, and we’re not funded behind the scenes by any larger organization or group. We are a community, comprised of the community-minded, and created and sustained through the support and participation of our fellow citizens. Whether you’re most comfortable simply sharing your thoughts in the Roundtables, or just wish to provide us the resources we need in order to thrive, your contribution, whatever it may be, matters to us and to the nation we serve.
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
— Edmund Burke
WHIG WELCOME
For every Whig public service comes naturally. To us, the Blessings of Liberty come with an obligation for each citizen to do their part in maintaining them.
We’re not alone in that belief. Our country has a long history of volunteerism and community building which all Whigs embrace. We believe wholeheartedly in the intrinsic value of the voluntary civic association as the cornerstone of a just and free society.
Which is why we’ve created one.
Your interest in this site likely means you, at the very least, feel the same obligation. We’re sure you want to hear more. And we are just as interested — even more so — in hearing from you.
Thank you for taking the time to explore our work. And please check back regularly as we add more and more content and features. There is much more to come.
This Institute — and our Republic — is a work in progress. Hopefully neither will ever be truly complete. It is in striving for constant improvement where all true progress is made.
OUR VALUES
There are three fundamental values which are central to the Institute’s worldview. Their implications form the foundation of Modern Whig thought:
INDEPENDENT THINKING. We come from a place of learning and discovery. While we certainly have our bedrock principles, we challenge assumptions and put all assertions to the test. We firmly believe free minds can find real answers, and a just People will embrace the truth.
VIRTUE. Modern Whigs believe society should, first and foremost, reward merit. While we believe in the inherent dignity of every human being, in our view educational achievement, professional accomplishment, commitment to excellence and personal character should be the chief determinants of an individual’s financial and social success.
INTEGRITY. To us, integrity means basic honesty and a public commitment to ethics in both thought and action. No one is above the law. And the same rules apply to everyone, equally, all the time, regardless of office, station or social standing.
OUR POLICY GOALS
Ultimately, what Whigs want, and think our People should demand, is honest, effective and principled government serving a stable, prosperous, peaceful and secure nation. We believe the Founders created the United States of America to be exactly that. But we also believe we have never adequately or fully realized their dream.
Beyond the principles we advocate, there are certain themes which run through all Whig policy thought:
Fiscal Responsibility
Energy Independence
Domestic Economic Focus
Infrastructure Development
State Responsibility
Social Tolerance
Education and Scientific Advancement
Support for Veterans and the Military
Electoral and Government Reform
(As you explore our site you’ll learn more about our views in each of these areas.)
While Institute Members get subscription content and other exclusives as a membership benefit, we encourage you to sign up for our free email newsletters. To join our mailing list, simply click on the link below.
We deliver our primary newsletter, Modern Whig Weekly, every Friday evening. We hope you will subscribe and use it in your own Great American Conversation with your friends, family and neighbors.
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The Modern Whig Institute is a 501(c)(3) civic research and education foundation dedicated to promoting the fundamental American principles of representative government, ordered liberty, capitalism, due process and the rule of law.