Instituto Mises Brasil
Ludwig von Mises Institute Brazil, simply Mises Brazil Institute, or abbreviated IMB, is a Brazilian think tank promoting libertarian ideas, focused on "the production and dissemination of economic and social science studies that promote the principles of the free market and a free society."

The institute officially follows the method of promoting the ideas of the Austrian School, to which the economist Ludwig von Mises belonged. However, some argue that the institute tends towards a "more radical perspective" of liberal ideas, "leaning more towards the ideas of the American anarcho-capitalist philosopher Murray Rothbard than towards the work of the Austrian economist after whom the institution is named."

Despite the existence of the Ludwig von Mises Institute in the United States, IMB is not subordinate to it. In April 2018, the Mises Brazil Institute was considered by Forbes the most influential non-U.S. liberal think tank on social media for the fourth consecutive year.

Structure 
IMB is headquartered in São Paulo, in Itaim Bibi. The organization consists of two sovereign boards, one administrative and one fiscal, with the former electing the board of directors. The board of directors is chaired by Hélio Coutinho Beltrão.

Events

Austrian School Conference 
In 2010, IMB organized the I Austrian School Economics Seminar. The lectures took place on April 11 and 12 in Porto Alegre. Among the speakers were foreign economists such as Lew Rockwell, Joseph Salerno, Mark Thornton, and Thomas Woods, as well as David Friedman (son of Milton Friedman) and Patri Friedman (son of David). Brazilian representatives included Ubiratan Iorio, Rodrigo Constantino, Fábio Barbieri, and Antony Mueller. The media described the seminar as "an even more liberal view" and a "defense of ultraliberalism."

The II Austrian School Seminar took place in April 2011, also in Porto Alegre, with the main figure being the North American libertarian thinker Hans-Hermann Hoppe.

The III Austrian School Seminar took place on May 12 and 13, 2012, in São Paulo, at the Fecomércio building. The event was renamed the Austrian School Conference by its organizers. Prominent international figures participated in the event, such as Peter Schiff and Walter Block.

The IV Seminar took place in September 2014, on the occasion of the institute's invitation to Republican former candidate Ron Paul.

During the 2016 Freedom Forum, promoted by IEE, President Hélio Coutinho Beltrão announced the realization of the V Austrian School Conference, scheduled for the first semester of 2017. The V Austrian School Conference took place on May 12 and 13, 2017, in São Paulo, at the Higienópolis Campus of Mackenzie Presbyterian University. The event featured national and international speakers, such as Stephan Kinsella, Yuri Maltsev, Andy Duncan, Paulo Scarano, Leandro Roque, Hélio Beltrão, Fernando Ulrich, Adriano Gianturco, Fabio Barbieri, Bruno Garschagen, among others.

Education 
In August 2016, the institute's new Chief Operating Officer, Geanluca Lorenzon, publicly announced that the institute's new strategic focus would be education and academic activities. Since then, the institute has launched a postgraduate course in Austrian School economics, extension courses, and a North American-style summer school. The President of the institute, Hélio Marcos Coutinho Beltrão, has mentioned on multiple occasions the intention of one day seeing IMB become a university.

Extension Courses 
The Mises Brazil Institute has already held two editions of the Extension Course in Business Action and Investments under the Austrian School in partnership with Mackenzie in São Paulo.

In 2019, IMB partnered with Instituto Millenium and launched an extension course called "Economics in One Day," taught by economist Fernando Ulrich. The course aims to introduce participants to basic economic concepts from a liberal perspective.

Postgraduate Course 
In 2020, the IMB announced its partnership with Rio Branco Integrated Colleges to offer the first postgraduate course in Austrian School economics in Brazil. The course aims to train specialists in the Austrian School's economic methodology, providing students with a solid theoretical foundation and analytical tools based on the principles of praxeology and free market economics.

Summer School 
In January 2021, the Mises Brazil Institute launched its first Summer School, inspired by similar programs offered by the Mises Institute in the United States. The summer school is a week-long intensive program that offers courses, lectures, and workshops on Austrian economics and related topics. The goal is to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Austrian School's economic principles and their application to real-world issues.

Publications 
IMB publishes articles, research papers, books, and a quarterly magazine called Mises. The content covers a wide range of topics, including economics, politics, philosophy, history, and culture, all from a libertarian perspective.

The institute's publications are available for free on its website and are widely disseminated through social media platforms. Additionally, IMB has an online bookstore where physical books can be purchased.

Criticisms 
IMB has been subject to criticism from various ideological and political groups. Some critics argue that the institute promotes an extreme form of libertarianism that disregards social safety nets and the role of the state in ensuring public welfare. Others criticize IMB for its association with far-right movements and individuals. These criticisms often stem from ideological disagreements and differing views on the role of government in society.

It is important to note that IMB represents a specific ideological perspective and does not encompass the entirety of libertarian or Austrian economics thought in Brazil. There are diverse interpretations and approaches within these intellectual currents, and other organizations and scholars hold different views and perspectives on these matters.

See also 
Ludwig von Mises Institute
Austrian School
Libertarianism
Think tank
Anarcho-capitalism

References

External links 
 Mises Brazil Institute Official Website
 Mises Institute (United States)
 Instituto Millenium
 Rio Branco Integrated Colleges

Think tanks based in Brazil
Libertarian think tanks