ABSTRACT
Advocates of free markets and liberty, the basis of Republican support of school choice, are faced with the problem of ensuring that free markets do not result in chaos and violence. Some people could pursue their self-interest in the marketplace motivated by greed and unhindered by morality. Without government interference, these Austrian economists argued, marketplace competition would create ideal institutions. Applied to schooling, this meant no government provision or control of education. Instead, entrepreneurs would organize schools and compete for students. Conscience efforts were made to convince the public of the value of vouchers and free markets by conservative private foundations. The Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute are two of the largest conservative think tanks. In contrast to the dissemination role of the Heritage Foundation, the American Enterprise Institute focuses on supporting free market-oriented scholarship. The American Enterprise Institute does not emphasize religion in supporting school choice and vouchers.
