Liberate Oklahoma from Public Sector Union Domination
Liberate Oklahoma from Public Sector Union DominationAuthor Benjamin LepakAbstract This paper explains how allowing public sector employees to collectively bargain undermines the people’s sovereignty in a representative government. It also proposes legislation to...
America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking, Even in a Pandemic
America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking,Even in a PandemicAuthor Mike DavisAbstract This paper demonstrates how many local governments’ restrictive policies in response to COVID-19 fail to fit into the long American legal tradition of allowing individuals to...
Make Social Distancing Restrictions Voluntary
Make Social Distancing Restrictions VoluntaryAuthors Steve Trost Abstract This paper argues that states should form policy according to rational risk assessment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. State and local policy-makers should create a framework that focuses...
Independent, Principled
State Policy
Public Unions and Obscure Election Dates Create a Perfect Storm
Wouldn’t it be great to pick your boss? I don’t mean choose between two competing job offers based on which boss you...
How Biden/Harris and Well-educated Sophisticates Are Wrong in the Age of COVID-19
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris often declared during the campaign that “We believe in science.” And judging by the tendency of the college-educated, especially among the...
Follow the Science: Eliminate Social Distancing and Focus Resources to Protect the Vulnerable
As the country entered into an election year, COVID-19 reared its head and became an unusual campaign issue. Exposed to extreme politization, facts were buried in an abundance of...
Our Story
The 1889 Institute is named for the first land run in Oklahoma. On April 22, 1889, pioneers gathered at a starting line and raced to claim tracts of land from the U.S. government for the price of staying on the
land for five years. The land run typifies the American ideal of opportunity – readily available to anyone with the personal initiative to take it, but without expecting equal results. Regardless of status, education, or station, no participant in a land run had an official advantage. In this way, the land run illustrates 1889 Institute’s commitment to fighting privilege granted by government, and expanding opportunity where government has intruded excessively.
Who We Are
The 1889 Institute is an independent group of scholars dedicated to making Oklahoma the best it can be. We are not affiliated with a political party, do not receive any money from any government entity, and do not engage in grassroots advocacy.
What We Do
The 1889 Institute analyzes and develops state public policy for the state of Oklahoma based on principles of limited and responsible government, free enterprise, and a robust civil society. We disseminate analyses and recommendations to policymakers and the general public.
Latest Blog Posts
Public Unions and Obscure Election Dates Create a Perfect Storm
Wouldn’t it be great to pick your boss? I don’t mean choose between two competing job offers based on which boss you...
How Biden/Harris and Well-educated Sophisticates Are Wrong in the Age of COVID-19
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris often declared during the campaign that “We believe in science.” And judging by the...
Follow the Science: Eliminate Social Distancing and Focus Resources to Protect the Vulnerable
As the country entered into an election year, COVID-19 reared its head and became an unusual campaign issue. Exposed...
Be Careful What You Wish For
The state of Oklahoma has California in its sights. People and businesses seeking greater opportunity are fleeing...
Latest Publications
Liberate Oklahoma from Public Sector Union Domination
Liberate Oklahoma from Public Sector Union DominationAuthor Benjamin LepakAbstract This paper explains how allowing public sector employees to collectively bargain undermines the people’s sovereignty in a representative government. It also proposes legislation to...
America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking, Even in a Pandemic
America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking,Even in a PandemicAuthor Mike DavisAbstract This paper demonstrates how many local governments’ restrictive policies in response to COVID-19 fail to fit into the long American legal tradition of allowing individuals to...
Make Social Distancing Restrictions Voluntary
Make Social Distancing Restrictions VoluntaryAuthors Steve Trost Abstract This paper argues that states should form policy according to rational risk assessment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. State and local policy-makers should create a framework that focuses...
Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of the United States in the Case of Oklahoma v. Johnson&Johnson
Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court of the United States in the Case of Oklahoma v. Johnson & JohnsonAuthors Benjamin LepakAbstract This paper is an amicus (or friend of the court) brief urging the Oklahoma Supreme Court to reverse the decision of a trial court...