News Brief: The Atlas Network’s Influence and the Roots of Neoliberalism
Summary
This investigation traces the origins and global influence of neoliberal think tanks, focusing on the Atlas Network. It explores how ideas from Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman, promoted through organizations like the Mont Pelerin Society, were deliberately spread to shape public policy. The report connects this history to a current Australian Senate inquiry examining the financing and dissemination of climate change misinformation.
Key Points
- Origins: Neoliberalism emerged in the 1930s-40s as a “new liberalism” movement, formalized by the Mont Pelerin Society in 1947.
- Strategy: Hayek argued to win the “battle of ideas” by targeting intellectuals (journalists, academics) to shift public opinion.
- Think Tank Model: Antony Fisher founded the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in 1955, creating a blueprint for marketing free-market ideas.
- Global Network: The Atlas Network, founded in 1981, now partners with over 500 think tanks worldwide to “litter the world with free-market think tanks.”
- Australian Impact: Think tanks like the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) and Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), linked to Atlas and Mont Pelerin, were established in the 1970s. They have significantly influenced Australian economic and climate policy debates.
- Current Inquiry: A Australian Senate committee is investigating how climate change misinformation is financed and disseminated, examining links to international networks like Atlas.
- Legacy: The movement has shifted political discourse, championed deregulation/privatization, and continues to campaign against policies like carbon pricing and net zero targets.
新闻简报：阿特拉斯网络的影响与新自由主义的根源
文章总结
本调查追溯了新自由主义智库的起源和全球影响力，重点关注阿特拉斯网络。它探讨了弗里德里希·哈耶克和米尔顿·弗里德曼的思想如何通过蒙佩尔兰学会等组织被有意传播以影响公共政策。报告将这段历史与当前澳大利亚参议院一项调查联系起来，该调查正在审查气候变化错误信息的资助和传播。
关键要点
- 起源：新自由主义在1930-40年代作为“新自由主义”运动出现，并于1947年通过蒙佩尔兰学会正式确立。
- 策略：哈耶克提出通过影响知识分子（记者、学者）来赢得“思想之战”，从而改变公众舆论。
- 智库模式：安东尼·费舍尔于1955年创立经济事务研究所（IEA），开创了推销自由市场思想的蓝图。
- 全球网络：阿特拉斯网络成立于1981年，目前与全球500多家智库合作，旨在“让自由市场智库遍布世界”。
- 对澳大利亚的影响：与阿特拉斯和蒙佩尔兰有关联的独立研究中心（CIS）和公共事务研究所（IPA）等智库于1970年代成立，深刻影响了澳大利亚的经济和气候政策辩论。
- 当前调查：澳大利亚参议院一个委员会正在调查气候变化错误信息的资助和传播方式，审查其与阿特拉斯等国际网络的联系。
- 遗产：该运动改变了政治话语，倡导放松管制/私有化，并持续反对碳定价和净零排放目标等政策。
Original Article Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-26/atlas-network-mont-pelerin-society-neoliberal-think-tanks/105700628