Atlas Network Pre-History

Pre-History

The Fisher Institute

In 1977, Sherril E. Edwards a businessman in Dallas, Texas, founded a think tank and named it after Antony.

Antony did not play a major role in the founding but agreed to lend his name and join the board. When in the early 1980's he saw that Dr. John Goodman was having some issues with his Health Center at the University of Dallas, he made a strong proposition to the board of the Fisher Institute, that they should appoint John as head or otherwise, he would resign from the board of FI and distance himself from the think tank. His offer was not accepted so Antony devoted most of his efforts in Texas to help John Goodman start the NCPA.

The Editorial Board of the Fisher Institute, included Dr. Svetozar Pejovich, Dr. Gerhart Anders, Dr. F. A. Hayek, Dr, Richard Timberlake, Jr., Dr. Robert Tollison, and Dr. George Trivoli. Pejovich was the chair of the editorial board, Edwards was the president, and Robert L. Arnold was VP of communications.

Soon after Fisher departure, the institute changed its focus to medical research. It has ceased operations, but it produced some valuable books such as "Life in the Soviet Union" by Steve Pejovich

Fisher and the Pacific Research Institute. The Center for Economic and Environmental Analysis (CEEA) as a precursor.

In 1979, Fisher and Jim North, were ready to launch a think tank that would have an important focus on environmental topics. They recruited David Theroux who had an outstanding career developing academic programs in the early years of Cato. David agreed but one of his conditions was that he could change the name to "Pacific Institute for Public Policy Research."

International Institute for Economic Research IIER

Also around 1977, Fisher started an international think tank to conduct IEA type work on a global basis. Arthur Shenfield was its director, and could boast some of the leading economists and public figures on its board. Its letterhead looked like the Who's Who of the Mont Pelerin Society. The preponderant role of intellectuals and the lack of focus on management and development led to the short life of the institute. One of its stars was Prof. William R. Allen (b. 1924) who had a popular radio program "The Midnight Economist."