O u r  M i s s i o n

The David Hume Institute promotes research, analysis and debate on public policy issues

Its work is primarily focused in areas linking economics and law, with a particular interest in the interaction between institutional or legal frameworks and market forces

Its orientation is towards the relevance of market approaches and market solutions in determining economic well-being

In the tradition of Hume, its analysis is of an empirical nature never confusing ‘is’ with ‘ought’

Based in Edinburgh it contributes a metropolitan voice to national and international debate on policy matters in the accessible and incisive style of Hume:

“where every one displays his thoughts and observations in the best manner he is able and mutually gives and receives information as well as pleasure.”

O u r  H i s t o r y

The David Hume Institute was set up in Edinburgh in 1985, the first Executive Director being Professor Sir Alan Peacock, to consider legal and economic aspects of public policy questions and to promote the results widely. It aims to be a distinctive non-metropolitan voice, based in, but not confined to Scotland. The Institute has no political affiliations. Its research, publications, conferences and events have been primarily concerned with market approaches to public policy and it has attracted support from Nobel Laureates in economics such as Professors James Buchanan, James Meade and George Stigler.

The aims and objectives of the Institute are to promote discourse and research on economic and legal aspects of public policy questions. The Institute fulfils these objectives in the following ways:

By organising seminars that address topics of current public policy concern by bringing together distinguished and expert speakers and an informed, interested and engaged audience.

Through the Occasional Paper series of lectures and articles, which may themselves be the product of scholarly research, but which are intended to make its results available to a wider audience in a convenient format lending itself to speedy production and hence to topicality.

Through the Hume Monograph series of papers about topical issues.

The annual Hume Lecture is delivered by a distinguished speaker on a topic of current importance. Once every three years, there is a Presidential Address.