Slobodna misao (Free Thought) is a group of people who share similar views on society, politics and economy. Slobodna misao is ideologically situated between libertarianism and conservatism. 

 

At Slobodna Misao, we present our ideas with the aim of both educating the public at large and influencing public policy. We hope to raise the bar for public debates in challenging accepted myths and prejudices in the Balkans, in both the fields of political and economic sciences. Also, we defend libertarian ideology using palpable day-to-day examples that hit home with the man on the street while trying to stamp out the elitist stereotype of libertarianism.

 

We believe in the postulates of classical liberalism (libertarianism) especially in the field of economics, but also in the political field, particularly when it comes to individual rights. As such, we oppose any human rights discrimination, particularly based on ethnicity, with which we are all too familiar. Therefore, we are committed to equality of opportunity, not equality in living standards. We stand for the advantage of private over public and social ownership, lower taxes, minimal state apparatus and little interference in the economy and lives of individuals. The conservative elements of our belief system comprise time-tested institutions such as family, religion (and Church) as well as national or any other identity based on the social-constructivist model or a group of self-organised, free-willed individuals.

 

Issues of interest for us include:

 

➢        Economic and political freedoms,

➢        Public policy and public administration,

➢        Crony capitalism in Balkan states,

➢        Social contract theory as well democratic legitimacy of power,

➢        Internal legitimacy of Balkan nation states, particularly in the fields of minority rights and ethnic and other forms of post-totalitarianism.

 

At Slobodna Misao, we have a multidisciplinary approach in trying to develop a no-nonsense holistic explanation for much of ills of the present society. This theoretical interest in turn develops practical solutions to be applied in order to remedy the problems; a kind of social diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

 

Our forthcoming plans include:

➢        Organising and taking part in conferences;

➢        Publishing a quarterly journal with theoretical and day-to-day policy articles;

➢        Closer cooperation with libertarian and conservative think-tanks, such as Atlas Network and Foundation for Economic Education;

➢        Expanding the base of associates, primarily among young people;

➢        Promoting the values of a free society, free and responsible individuals, and limited powers of state.

➢        We also plan to organize workshops with interested youth and local community leaders in order to promote our ideas and assisting in the organisation of grass-roots movements.

 

Our long term goal is to establish an institute, the first of its kind in the Balkan region that would publish policy papers on the multitude of issues.

We also promote some conservative ideas, that is, we believe in the traditional and social institutions as family, the Church and nation.

The mission of Slobodna misao is to promote ideas of free markets and political and economic freedoms in Montenegro and Serbia.