Difference between revisions of "Democracy Institute"

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The Democracy Institute describes itself as "a politically independent public policy research organization based in Washington and London". The think tank was founded in 2006. Its stated aims are:
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[[Image:Democracy_Institute.jpg|thumb|350px|Democracy Institute Logo]]
  
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:to further public education through the production and dissemination of accessible commentary and scholarship. The Democracy Institute aims to provide a balanced and thoughtful perspective on topical issues, promoting open and rational debate based on evidence rather than ideology<ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], ''Democracy Institute'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref>.
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The '''Democracy Institute''' describes itself as "a politically independent public policy research organisation".<ref> The Democracy Institute (undated), [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], (accessed 17th February 2011) </ref>
  
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The Institute are regularly consulted by the media as experts in public health issues with [[Patrick Basham]] and [[John Luik]] regularly appearing as media commentators, 33 worldwide newspaper articles between 2006-2009 cite Basham and Luik as experts on public health issues<ref>Nexis UK, Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham", Nexis UK, 10-February-2010</ref>.
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Founded in 2006, it claims to have bases in London and Washington DC. But it is not registered as a company or charity in the UK and is not registered as a 501(c) organization with the [[Internal Revenue Service]] in the US nor as a company in Washington DC or either of the surrounding states (Maryland and Virginia).<ref name="BMJ"> David Miller and Steven Harkins [http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7638/244/rr Re: Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? Yes] ''British Medical Journal'', 16 April 2015, accessed 17 April 2015.</ref> It claims to, 'further public education through the production and dissemination of accessible commentary and scholarship' <ref> The Democracy Institute (undated), [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], (accessed 17th February 2011) </ref> by providing a, “a balanced and thoughtful perspective on topical issues, promoting open and rational debate based on evidence rather than ideology”.<ref> The Democracy Institute (undated), [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], (accessed 17th February 2011) </ref>  
  
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==Views==
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The think tank argues against government regulation on issues including tobacco, alcohol, food and gambling, amongst other topics.<ref> Basham P,    [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/patrick-basham-and-john-luik-on-public-smoking-bans-october-26-2009 Luik J. NYC: The City that Never Smokes]  26 October 2009. , [accessed 12 November 2014]</ref><ref>Basham P, Luik J. [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=38687 A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research] The Democracy Institute  2 February 2010. http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=38687 [accessed 12 November 2012]</ref><ref>Basham P, Luik J.[ http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=37564  The myth of an ‘obesity tsunami’], The Democracy Institute  19 January 2010, [accessed 12 November 2014]</ref>
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===Tobacco===
 
  
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Patrick Basham, the Institute's director, criticised the WHO's anti-tobacco efforts, which are centred on the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. He described the framework as "The well-intentioned blind leading the blind," going on to say that:
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==People==
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*[[Patrick Basham]] - Director<ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], ''Democracy Institute'', accessed 10 February 2010</ref>
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Basham was previously the Founding director of the Social Affairs Center at Canada’s [[Fraser Institute]], and was a senior fellow with the [[Cato Institute]]'s [[Center for Representative Government]].<ref> Cato Institute (N.D) [http://www.cato.org/people/patrick-basham Patrick Basham] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>Basham is a former tobacco industry lobbyist and publishes most of the research on the Institute's website along with [[John Luik]] who is also a former tobacco industry lobbyist.<ref>Telefax, [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/5/56/Srvk49e00.pdf Tflb CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CIGARETTE MANUFACTURER LIMITED], CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CIGARETTE MANUFACTURER LIMITED, 22-June-1993</ref><ref>Consultants, [http://www.ocat.org/opposition/consultants.html John Luik], ''Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref><ref>Consultants, [http://www.ocat.org/opposition/consultants.html John Luik], ''Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref><ref>Gori GB, Luik JC. Passive smoke: the EPA’s betrayal of science and policy. Vancouver, Canada: Fraser Institute, 1999</ref><ref>Marsden, W., "Big tobacco's shell game with the truth," Montreal Gazette, June 21, 2001</ref><ref>Montreal Gazette, Blowing smoke, Cornwall Standard Freeholder (Ontario), 2-July-2001</ref><ref>Sherry Stein, [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/f/f3/Sqac53a99.pdf Letter to Adrain Payne at British American Tobacco], 28-July-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 18-February-2010</ref><ref>Sherry Stein, [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/d/d0/Slbc53a99.pdf Letter to Martin Broughton], 28-January-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 20-February-2010</ref><ref>Patrick Basham, [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/d/d0/Slbc53a99.pdf Public Policy Sources], The Fraser Institute, 1-August-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 20-February-2010</ref><ref>Press Release, [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/c/ce/Sarh97d00.pdf Media Release], The Fraser Institute, 9-April-1999, Accessed Through Tobacco Archives 18-February-2010</ref><ref>Patrick Basham, [http://www.spinprofiles.org/images/d/d0/Slbc53a99.pdf Public Policy Sources], The Fraser Institute, 1-August-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 20-February-2010</ref>
  
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:Smoking levels naturally drop off - as they have in Western countries - when populations become richer and better-educated.
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The following people are linked to the Democracy Institute through several published articles yet are not officially registered via the organisation's own website:
  
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Adding:
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*[[John Luik]] - Senior Fellow<ref>Basham and Luik, [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8869/ Five-a-day won’t keep the doctor away], ''Spiked'', 13 May 2010, accessed 5 August 2010</ref>
  
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:The cynical view is that the anti-tobacco lobby has itself now become an industry and we will never be able to do enough to stop smoking<ref>Smoking death toll five million a year, The Gold Coast Bulletin (Australia), Main Edition, 12-December-2009</ref>.
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John Luik is a senior fellow of the Democracy Institute<ref>Patrick Basham and John Luik, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=34360 NYC: The City That Never Smokes],'' Democracy Institute'', 26 October 2009, Accessed 14 November 2014</ref>, and a tobacco industry consultant<ref>Consultants, [http://www.ocat.org/opposition/consultants.html John Luik], ''Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref> who, according to reports, was sacked from two academic posts in Canada for misrepresenting his credentials<ref>CBC T.V. News and Current Affairs, June 21, 2001; CBC Television</ref><ref>William Marsden, Luik lied to universities about his qualifications, The Montreal Gazette, 21-June-2001</ref>. He regularly co-authors articles in the media with [[Patrick Basham]], the founder of the Democracy Institute, on a range of topics including tobacco regulation<ref>[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.iea.org.uk/events/the-plain-truth-democracy-institute-publication 'The Plain Truth - Does Packaging Influence Smoking?'], ''Democracy Institute'', 14 March 2012</ref><ref>[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], 'Prescription for conflict: why the alliance between the pharmaceutical industry and the anti-tobacco movement is not in the best interests of smokers', ''Economic Affairs'', Volume 32, Issue 2, pages 41–46, June 2012</ref><ref>[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.iea.org.uk/blog/why-the-plain-packaging-consultation-is-deeply-flawed 'Why the plain packaging consultation is deeply flawed'], ''Institute of Economic Affairs'', 9 July 2012</ref>, obesity<ref>[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/fat_as_a_four-letter_word/13886#.U8aCto1dWig Turning fat into a four-letter word], ''Spiked'', 5 August 2013</ref>, alcohol<ref>[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/8033/ 'A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research'], ''Spiked'', 2 February 2010</ref> and public health<ref>[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/29/health-paternalism-attacks-working-class 'Working class are under attack from health paternalism'], ''The Guardian'', 29 April 2010</ref>.
  
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And:
 
  
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:Tobacco use will change, but it has very little to do with the kinds of things WHO is promoting.<ref>Maria Cheng, [http://www.thespec.com/article/687905 Countries must toughen smoking laws: WHO], Assoc Press, thespec.com, Dec 10 2009, accessed 10 Feb 2010</ref>
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*[[Christopher Snowdon]] - Adjunct Scholar
  
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===Obesity===
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Snowdon is an adjunct scholar with the Democracy Institute and a freelance journalist who regularly publishes article in the libertarian online magazine [[spiked]].<ref>[http://www.velvetgloveironfist.com/index.php?page_id=4 About the Author], ''Velvet Glove Iron Fist'' website, accessed 4 August 2010</ref> His articles also challenge initiatives that threaten free market policies.
  
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According to the Western Mail, [[John Luik]] and [[Patrick Basham]] of the Democracy Institute argue that:
 
  
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:There is no evidence to support claims that children are getting fatter or that they will suffer long-term health problems as a result of their weight; Such a public fixation with weight and food could exacerbate the problem of eating disorders and people's obsession with their own weight.
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===Advisory Council===
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As listed by the Democracy Institute: <ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm Advisory Council], ''Democracy Institute'', accessed 10 February 2010</ref>
  
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Dr Luik told the Western Mail,  
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*[[Nigel Ashford]] – [[Institute for Humane Studies]] Programme officer for the [[Institute for Humane Studies]] and previous Scholar for the [[Heritage Foundation]]. He has also directed the Principles for a free society project at the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation. the afore mentioned organisations promote conservative views <ref> Institute for Humane Studies (N.D) [http://www.theihs.org/staff/nigel-ashford, Nigel Ashford], accessed 6th April 2010</ref>
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*[[Juliette Baysham]] – Public Health Fellow
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*[[Jason Clemens]] – [[Pacific Research Institute]] Director of Research at the [[Pacific Research Institute]] and has previously worked for the [[Fraser Institute]]<ref> Pacific Research Institute(N.D)[http://www.pacificresearch.org/keypeople/jason-clemens Jason Clemens] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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*[[Veronique de Rugy]] – Research Fellow. De Rugy is currently a research fellow at the [[Mercatus Centre]] at George Mason University, an adjunct scholar for the [[Cato Institute]] and is also on the Board of Directors of the Centre for Freedom and Prosperity<ref> Cato Institute (N.D) [http://www.cato.org/people/rugy.html  Veronique de Rugy] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>De Rugy has worked as a research fellow for the [[American Enterprise Institute]] and the [[Atlas Economic Research Foundation]]. <ref> Mercatus Center(N.D) [http://mercatus.org/sites/default/files/person/Vero_de%20Rugy_CV.pdf Veronique de Rugy curriculum vitae], accessed 6th April 2011</ref> Prior to this she has directed academic programs for the [[Institute for Humane Studies]] <ref>Mercatus Center (N.D) [http://mercatus.org/veronique-de-rugy Veronique de Rugy] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Jamie Dettmer]] – Research Fellow Dettmer specialises in International Affairs and Political Economy and is the principal and founder of [[Jamie Dettmer & Associates]] which is according to its website, ‘a communications, media relations and public affairs advisory network of respected and effective senior-level professionals drawn from PR and journalism in the US, Europe and the Middle East.<ref>Linkedin (N.D) [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiewrit Jamie Dettmer] accessed 6th April 2011</ref><ref>Jamie Dettmer & Associates (N.D) [http://jwdettmer.com/Home_Page.html Jamie Dettmer & Associates] accessed 6th April 2011</ref> He previously assumed the role of Director of Communications and Advocacy at [[International Foundation for Electoral Systems]].<ref> Jamie Dettmer & Associates(N.D) [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiewrit Jamie Dettmer] accessed 6th April 2011</ref><ref> Jamie Dettmer (N.D) [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiewrit Jamie Dettmer] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Chris Edwards]] – [[Cato Institute]]. Chris Edwards is the director of tax policy studies at the [[Cato Institute]]. Prior roles include a senior economist on the congressional Joint Economic Committee and as an economist with the Tax Foundation where he published 13 articles between 1992-1994. <ref>Cato Institute(N.D)[http://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards Chris Edwards] accessed 6th April 2011</ref><ref> Chris Edwards (N.D) [http://www.taxfoundation.org/staff/show/46.html Chris Edwards contributions] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Ivan Eland]] - Senior Fellow. Eland is also the Director of the Center on Peace & Liberty at The [[Independent Institute]]. He is the former director of Defense Policy Studies at the Cato Institute and spent 15 years working for Congress on national security issues.<ref> Independent Institute (N.D) [http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=487 Ivan Eland] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Jeremy Lott]] – A Senior Fellow. A journalist who is the editor of Real Clear Religion and is the Competitive Enterprise Institute's current Warren Brookes Journalism Fellow and a contributing editor to Books & Culture <ref> American Spectator (N.D). [http://spectator.org/people/jeremy-lott/all Jeremy Lott] accessed 6th April </ref>Lott was formerly Manager of Editorial Services at the [[Cato Institute]] and Assistant Managing Editor of The American Spectator. <ref> Competitive Enterprise Institute (N.D) [http://cei.org/other/jeremy-lott Jeremy Lott] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Michael Mosbacher]] – [[Social Affairs Unit]]. Mosbacher has been director the [[Social Affairs Unit]] since 2004 although he has assumed other roles within the organisation since 1996. He is also the managing editor of [[Standpoint]] magazine from 2008 to the present.<ref> 123 People (N.D) [http://www.123people.co.uk/ext/frm?ti=person%20finder&search_term=michael%20mosbacher&search_country=GB&st=person%20finder&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Flrd.yahooapis.com%2F_ylc%3DX3oDMTVnY2xoZGI3BF9TAzIwMjMxNTI3MDIEYXBwaWQDc1k3Wlo2clYzNEhSZm5ZdGVmcmkzRUx4VG5makpERG5QOWVKV1NGSkJHcTJ1V1dFa0xVdm5IYnNBeUNyVkd5Y2REVElUX2tlBGNsaWVudANib3NzBHNlcnZpY2UDQk9TUwRzbGsDdGl0bGUEc3JjcHZpZANUV09BR21LSWNyb0tINWpUdTBmaEhhUjZXODV4QlUyTGFXOEFEWGcu%2FSIG%3D1325fsbeo%2F**http%253A%2F%2Fwww.debretts.com%2Fpeople%2Fbiographies%2Fbrowse%2Fm%2F24102%2FMichael%252520Oliver%252BMOSBACHER.aspx&section=biography&wrt_id=107 Michael Mosbacher, Esq's Biography] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Gerry Nicholls]] – Senior Fellow. Gerry Nicholls is a director of the [[Society for Quality Education]] which claims he is  “one of Canada’s most prominent defenders of our economic and political freedoms”. <ref> Society for Quality Education (N.D) [http://www.societyforqualityeducation.org/index.php/about/category/C12/ Who we are] accessed 6th April 2011</ref> Prior roles include twenty years employment at the National Citizens Coalition, Canada’s largest independent pro-free market advocacy group. He is also freelance writer working as an independent political consultant to the media. <ref> Society for Quality Education (N.D) [http://www.societyforqualityeducation.org/index.php/about/category/C12/ Who we are] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Charles Pena]] – George Washington University. Pena is also a senior Fellow at both the [[Independent Institute]] and the [[Coalition for a Realistic Foreign Policy]]. <ref> Independent Institute (N.D) [http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=1235 About us Charles V. Peña] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>He is also currently an adviser on the Straus Military Reform Project. <ref> Independent Institute (N.D) [http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=1235 About us Charles V. Peña] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>Previously Mr. Peña has been senior fellow with the George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute and Foreign Policy Advisor for the 2008 Ron Paul Presidential Campaign<ref> Independent Institute (N.D) [http://www.independent.org/aboutus/person_detail.asp?id=1235 About us Charles V. Peña] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Christopher Preble]] – [[Cato Institute]]. Preble is the Director of foreign policy studies at the [[Cato Institute]] and writes a blog for The Skeptics at [[The National Interest]] <ref> National Interest (N.D) [http://nationalinterest.org/profile/christopher-preble Christopher A.Preble] Accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Marian Tupy]] – [[Cato Institute]]. Marian Tupy is a policy analyst for the [[Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity]] at the [[Cato Institute]], specialising in the study of the political economy of Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.<ref>Cato Institute, [http://www.cato.org/people/marian-tupy People], accessed 15 February 2010</ref>Tupy has also published articles for the [[Heritage Foundation]] <ref> Heritage Foundation (2007, 2008) http://www.heritage.org/search?query=tupy Publications by Marian Tupy] accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
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* [[Martin Zelder]] – Analysis Group Economics. Martin Zelder is a senior associate at Analysis Group Economics, a Boston-based consulting firm. Previously, he was Director of Health Policy Research at the [[Fraser Institute]]<ref> Fraser Institute (N.D) [http://www.fraserinstitute.org/author.aspx?id=15422&txID=3324 Research and News) accessed 6th April 2011</ref>
  
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:In the US about 25% of adolescent girls are dieting constantly and 5% have anorexia or bulimia. But this fixation [with food and body image] is not just for girls, but women under 45. The message people are getting is one about an obsession with their bodies - 20 years ago feminists would never have allowed such a public discourse about women's weight. And yet it seems that the health establishment think because it is done under the cover of talking about people's health, it is all right.
 
  
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Dr Luik added:
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[[File:Democracy_Institute_Social_Network_Analysis.jpg‎|thumb|right|800px|[[Democracy Institute]] connections to the [[Conservative movement]]]]
  
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:The people who live the longest in both the UK and the US are the pleasantly plump - the people who are most likely to die from a weight-related disorder are those who are either too thin or at a normal body mass index. People who are between a BMI of 26 and 32 are those who are living the longest, yet according to the obesity debate, those are the people who should be dying in the greatest numbers.<ref>WMail Edition, '[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-169863897.html Scaremongering over child obesity may rebound]', ''The Western Mail'', 16-October-2007, sub req'd to access full article</ref>
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'''Social Network Analysis of the Democracy Institute and links to other conservative organisations.'''
  
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===Islamic Radicalism===
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==Activities==
  
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In an article for the National Post in Canada, the Institute's director Patrick Basham concluded that:
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The Democracy Institute’s research interests are within the following areas:
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Democratisation, education policy; electoral studies; the European Union; fiscal studies; health care; international relations ; obesity; and the regulation of risk.<ref>The Democracy Institute (undated), [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], (accessed 17th February 2011)</ref>
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The main focus of its attention is on public health initiatives that are likely to interfere with the marketing activities of the tobacco<ref>Patrick Basham & John Luik, [http://www.tobacco.org/news/298796.html NYC: The City that Never Smokes], The Democracy Institute, 26 October 2009, accessed 30 March 2010</ref>, alcohol<ref>Patrick Basham & John Luik, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=38687 A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research], The Democracy Institute, 2-February-2010, Accessed 30-March-2010</ref> and food<ref>Patrick Basham & John Luik, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=37564 The myth of an ‘obesity tsunami'], ''Democracy Institute'', 19-January-2010, Accessed 30-March-2010</ref> industries.
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The Institute is regularly consulted by the media as a body of experts in public health issues with [[Patrick Basham]] and [[John Luik]] frequently appearing as media commentators, 37 worldwide newspaper articles between 2006 and 2010 cite Basham and Luik as experts on public health issues.<ref>Nexis UK (2011), [http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/listview/listview.do?risb=21_T11279752283&start=1&sort=BOOLEAN&documentNo=&nodeDisplayName=&thresholdChange=true Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham"] (accessed 17th February 2011) </ref>
  
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:This terrorist weed choking the U.K. is especially hard to eradicate because it is growing in British soil. The United States' fastest-growing religion is Islam, but there the numbers are not a security concern since a commitment to Islam has not overwhelmed a strong attachment to America. Score another victory for the cultural melting pot; by contrast, the U.K. embraced taxpayer-subsidized multiculturalism and has paid a very dear price.
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Basham and Luik have published articles in 14 newspapers worldwide with Washington Times printing 6 articles, four of which express the Institute's pro-industry view on obesity. <ref>Nexis UK (2011), [http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/listview/listview.do?risb=21_T11279752283&start=1&sort=BOOLEAN&documentNo=&nodeDisplayName=&thresholdChange=true Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham"] (accessed 17th February 2011)</ref> The ''[[Washington Times]]'' is owned by News World Communications Incorporated, which is under the control of the [[Unification Church]], [[Reverend Sun Myung Moon]] – also referred to as the [[Moonies]]. <ref>Media Owners (n.d)[http://www.mediaowners.com/company/newsworld.html See who owns the American media] accessed 8th April, 2011</ref> The ''Washington Times'' is known for its conservative views as are eight of the newspapers that have published the work of Basham and Luik including ''[[The Australian]]'' (Fox Corporation), ''The [[Western Mail]]''; ''The [[Irish Independent]]''; ''[[New Zealand Herald]]''; ''[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]''; ''[[Star Tribune]]''; ''[[Sunday Telegraph]]'' and the ''[[West Australian]]''.<ref>WorldPress.org(n.d) [http://www.worldpress.org/gateway.htm World Newspapers and Magazines] accessed 8th April 2011</ref>
  
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:The result, cultural apartheid, has encouraged a significant number of Muslims to exhibit more loyalty to fellow Muslims outside of the U.K. than to their fellow Britons. It is a dangerous trend, and one that countries such as Canada should view as a cautionary tale<ref>Patrick Basham, [http://freedominion.com.pa/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=771773&sid=5991b532f92dbedc63d6abe196826f24 Lurching toward radicalism], National Post (f/k/a The Financial Post), 12-August-2010</ref>.
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In terms of magazines and journals Basham and Luik have published articles in ''The [[American Spectator]]'' and the [[National Review]] which both promote conservative ideology.<ref>Nexis UK (2011), [http://www.lexisnexis.com/uk/nexis/results/listview/listview.do?risb=21_T11279752283&start=1&sort=BOOLEAN&documentNo=&nodeDisplayName=&thresholdChange=true Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham"] (accessed 17th February 2011) </ref> This again would suggest that the Democracy Institute adopts a partisan rather than independent perspective. Most prominently Basham and Luik have published articles on [[Spiked]] online.
  
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==Publications==
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===Public Health===
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The two main researchers for the Democracy Institute, Patrick Basham and John Luik, have written in the British Medical Journal on obesity, <ref>Basham P, Luik J. Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? Yes. BMJ 2008;336(244) http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7638/244 [accessed 12 November 2014]</ref> and Basham has separately written two BMJ blog posts on tobacco issues.<ref>Basham P. The DOH is wrong about cessation. British Medical Journal 17 March 2010. http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2010/03/17/patrick-basham-the-doh-is-wrong-about-cessation/ [accessed 12 November 2014]</ref><ref> Basham P. Not smoke-free but snus-free. British Medical Journal 6 April 2010. http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2010/04/06/patrick-basham-not-smoke-free-but-snus-free/ [accessed 12 November 2014]</ref>
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===On Obesity===
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In several articles attacking public health, Basham <ref>Basham, P. & Luik,J. (2006)[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1535176/Four-big-fat-myths.html Four big, fat myths]  (accessed 24th February 2011)</ref> <ref>Basham, P & Luik,J.(2010)[http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9871/, A happy meal is nothing to smile about] (accessed 19th February 2011)</ref><ref> Basham, P.(2010) "[http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=37564 The myth of an obesity tsunami], Democracy Institute (accessed 24th February 2011</ref><ref>Basham, P. & Luik, J. (2008)"[http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/336/7638/244?grp=1 Head To Head Is The Obesity Epidemic Exaggerated? Yes], “British Medical Journal”, (accessed 24th February 2011)</ref> argues that four obesity claims are nothing but ‘myths’:
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*That the world is obese (both adults and children)
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* That being fat is a certain recipe for early death
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*That fatness stems from the manufacturing and marketing practices of the food industry
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*That we will lengthen our lives if only we eat less and lose weight.
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According to Basham, there is no scientific evidence to support these myths. Basham claims that evidence produced by the [[The Scripps Research Institute]] in which ‘junk food’ was found to be addictive to rats due to the chemical reactions it causes in the brain are irrelevant to humans for the reason that it is been proved addictive to rats – not humans. 
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Basham and Luik recently published an article in [[spiked]] expressing their opinion concerning the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s decision to approve a preliminary ban that would force fast food retailers to stop providing promotional toys with happy meals.<ref>Basham, P & Luik, J.(2010)[http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9871/, A happy meal is nothing to smile about] (accessed 19th February 2011)</ref> According to the article the ban would give parents an opportunity to promote healthier meal options to their children.  According Basham and Luik in the article, the proposal is presumptuous as it assumes that the fast food industry and its marketing techniques contribute towards childhood obesity.
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The evidence-less Happy Meal ban should remind us that the entire idea of fat children is largely a cultural construct, not a scientific one. A hundred years ago, today's penchant for thin children would have been considered a shocking instance of child neglect.The idea that children weighing over a certain amount are fat or obese has no scientific foundation, as the dividing line between fat and normal is purely arbitrary, representing nothing more than a public health bureaucrat's notion of where normal ends and fat begins.<ref>Basham, P & Luik (2010) [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9871/,A happy meal is nothing to smile about] (accessed 19th February 2011)</ref>
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More recently, Basham and Luik have criticised the NHS for proposing to prevent obese people from receiving certain operations due to lifestyle choices.<ref>Basham, P. & Luik,J. (2011), [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/10260/ Healthcare for all unless you're fat!], Spiked online, (accessed 11th March 2011) </ref> Basham and Luik (2011) present the following evidence in the article,
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:“Van Baal and his colleagues estimated lifetime health costs for three groups of 1,000 people: the ‘healthy-living’ group (thin and non-smoking), obese people, and smokers. The researchers found that from age 20 to 56, obese people racked up the most expensive health costs. But because both the smokers and the obese people died sooner than the healthy group, it cost less to treat them in the long run.”
 +
 
 +
The purpose of the article that Basham and Luik refer to as evidence was to examine the medical cost of obesity before considering implications for obesity prevention in order to reduce costs. The article concludes that obesity prevention to some extent, reduces health costs. <ref> Pieter H. M. Van Baal, P.H.M; Polder, J.J; Ardine de Wit, G.; Hoogenveen, R.T. Feenstra, T.L.;  Boshuizen, H.C.;  Engelfriet, P.M.;  Brouwe,W. (2008), [http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050029Lifetime Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure], PLoS Med 5(2): e29, (accessed 11th March 2011)</ref>
 +
 
 +
===On Equality===
 +
 
 +
Wilkinson and Pickett's book ''The Spirit Level'' was criticised in a series of reports by the [[Taxpayers' Alliance]], the Democracy Institute and the [[Policy Exchange]]. The criticisms from the [[Policy Exchange]] and the [[Taxpayers' Alliance]] were published just 24 hours apart.<ref>Adams, T., (2008), [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/31/conservatives.thinktanks Have the Right taken all the best ideas], ''the Guardian'', 31-August-2008, Accessed 29-November-2010</ref><ref>Booth, R., (2010), [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/14/the-spirit-level-equality-thinktanks The Spirit Level: how ‘ideas wreckers’ turned book into a political punch bag], ''the Guardian'', 14-August-2010, Accessed 29-November-2010</ref>
  
−
*Patrick Basham, 2009, Butt Out! How Philip Morris Burned Ted Kennedy, the FDA & the Anti-Tobacco Movement, ''Democracy Institute''
+
==Transparency==
  
−
==People==
+
The organisation’s website gives no information about its major funders however in his book, ''A Picture of Health? Why Graphic Warnings Don’t Work'' John Luik states that the writing of the book was, “made possible by funding provided by Imperial Tobacco Group PLC” indicating that the organisation has corporate associates.<ref> Luik,J., (2006),[http://democracyinstitute.org/Images/PDF/A_Picture_o_Health_Why_Graphic_Warnings_Don%27t_Work.pdf A Picture of Health? Why Graphic Warnings Don’t Work], London, The Democracy Institute (accessed 28th February 2011)</ref>
  
−
[[Patrick Basham]] - Director<ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm About Us], ''Democracy Institute'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref>.
+
In a more recent article, Basham and Luik state the following,
 +
“The Democracy Institute has not received any funding from the food, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or indoor tanning industries to publish this paper. Nor have the authors received any funding from those industries to research and write this paper, the contents of which have not been shared with or reviewed by any individual or organisation affiliated with the food, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or indoor tanning industries.” <ref> Basham, P. & Luik, J. (2006), [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/the-war-on-working-class-culture?A=SearchResult&SearchID=1952556&ObjectID=51390&ObjectType=7 The War on Working Class Culture] London, The Democracy Institute (accessed 28th February 2011)</ref>
  
−
===Advisory Council===
+
==Links==
 +
The Democracy Institute is a think tank with links to the [[Cato Institute]] <ref>Patrick Basham, [http://www.cato.org/people/patrick-basham Adjunct Scholar], The Cato Institute, Accessed 30-March-2010</ref> and [[Spiked]] online.<ref>All Articles, [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/author/Basham%20and%20Luik/ Articles by Basham & Luik], ''Spiked'', accessed 30 March 2010</ref>
  
−
[[Nigel Ashford]] – Institute of Humane Studies | [[Juliette Baysham]] – Public Health Fellow | [[Jason Clemens]] – Pacific Research Institute | [[Veronique de Rugy]] – Mercatus Center | [[Jamie Dettmer]] – International Foundation for Electoral Systems | [[Chris Edwards]] – Cato Institute | [[Ivan Eland]] – Independent Institute | [[Jeremy Lott]] – Senior Fellow | [[Michael Mosbacher]] – Social Affairs Unit | [[Gerry Nicholls]] – Senior Fellow | [[Charles Pena]] – George Washington University | [[Christopher Preble]] – Cato Institute | [[Marian Tupy]] – Cato Institute | [[Martin Zelder]] – University of Chicago.<ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm Advisory Council], ''Democracy Institute'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref>
+
==Publications==
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.wlf.org/upload/legalstudies/workingpaper/BashamLuikFinalWeb.pdf 'Health Warnings on Consumer Products: Why Scarier Is Not Better'], ''Washington Legal Foundation'', 26 January 2012.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://calvinayre.com/2012/01/14/lifestyle/public-healths-inconvenient-truths/ 'Public Health’s Inconvenient Truths'], ''CalvinAyre.com'', 14 January 2012.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/11/28/should-legislation-protect-obese-people/let-the-boss-decide-what-to-do-with-obese-workers 'Let the Boss Decide What to Do'], ''New York Times'', 29 November 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/de0e93e4-1539-11e1-b9b8-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fde0e93e4-1539-11e1-b9b8-00144feabdc0.html&_i_referer=#axzz1fL9uWpwf 'Plain packaging will not stop young people smoking'] (registration required), ''Financial Times'', 24 November 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/_literature_94743/Colonel_Gaddafi's_death_may_be_bad_news_for_the_Libyan_revolution 'Colonel Gaddafi's death may be bad news for the Libyan revolution'], ''Democracy Institute'', 20 October 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/11155/ 'David Cameron’s unpalatable nannying'], ''Spiked'', 11 October 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/180031-new-normal-of-intrusion 'New normal of intrusion'], ''The Hill'', 8 September 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=92435 'Are we safer today than on 9/11?'], ''Democracy Institute'', 6 September 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/plain-packaging-policy-disguised-as-science-but-wheres-the-proof/story-e6frg6zo-1226113644856 ' packaging policy disguised as science, but where's the proof?'], ''The Australian'', 13 August 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://calvinayre.com/2011/07/15/business/patrick-basham-tobaccos-graphic-warning-for-gambling-industry/ 'Tobacco’s Graphic Warning for the Gambling Industry'], ''CalvinAyre.com'', 15 July 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://calvinayre.com/2011/06/29/lifestyle/dr-patrick-basham-is-there-happiness-without-risk/ 'Is there happiness without risk?'], ''CalvinAyre.com'', 29 June 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=88400 'Plain packaging for consumer products and the implications for trademark rights'], ''Washington Legal Foundation'', 16 June 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=87909 'Term Limits: A Reform that Works'], ''Our Generation'', 9 June 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] and [[Jamie Dettmer]], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/apr/28/royal-wedding-monarchy 'Royal wedding: the sponsorship deal of the century goes begging'], ''The Guardian'', 28 April 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.theeuropean.de/patrick-basham/6143-vorteile-der-amtszeitbeschraenkung 'Gehen, wenn es am schönsten ist'], ''The European'', 26 March 2011. (German language)
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/10294/ 'How the war on obesity went pear-shaped'], ''Spiked'', 15 March 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/8369268/Local-taxpayers-are-left-powerless-when-councils-cut-the-wrong-services.html 'Enemies of enterprise seek controls on tobacco'], ''The Telegraph'', 9 March 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=82593 'Tobacco Display Bans: A Global Failure'], ''Institute of Economic Affairs'', 6 March 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/10260/ 'Healthcare for all! Unless you’re fat'], ''Spiked'', 3 March 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=79396 'An Egyptian Revolution = Reform's Death Knell'], ''Democracy Institute'', 3 February 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/256437/dean-martin-congressional-politics-demonstrates-old-fashioned-virtues-patrick-basham ‘The Dean Martin of Congressional Politics’ Demonstrates Old-Fashioned Virtues], ''National Review Online'', 5 January 2011.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=76940 '10 ways Christmas is good for your health'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 23 December 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_feds_fat_factory_qtNUjL8s8xnhJgmjgVdjGO 'The feds' fat factory'], ''New York post'', 14 December 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9963/ 'Treating people like lab rats'], ''Spiked'', 6 December 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9925/ 'A public display of BMA ignorance'], ''Spiked'', 23 November 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9871/ 'A Happy Meal ban is nothing to smile about'], ''Spiked'', 9 November 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=69452 'Are nudging and shoving good for public health?'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 16 September 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=67923 'Chewing the fat'] (pdf) - Comment in the ''Sunday Times'', 22 August 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=67786 'Does Australia's 'Seinfeld Election' Matter?'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 20 August 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/a-kenyan-yes-vote-should-be-met-with-cautious-pessimism 'A Kenyan Yes vote should be met with cautious pessimism'], ''Democracy Institute'', 7 August 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/david-cameron-misread-uk-public-on-bp-libya-deal David Cameron Misread UK Public on BP-Libya 'Deal''], ''Democracy Institute'', 2 August 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://articles.philly.com/2010-08-02/news/24972327_1_bmi-body-mass-index-obese-increases 'More than the sum of our BMIs'], ''Philly.com'', 2 August 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/pssst-wanna-boost-kids-smoking-have-a-display-ban 'Pssst! Wanna boost kids’ smoking? Have a display ban!'], ''Democracy Institute'', 15 July 2010.
 +
*[[Christopher Snowdon]], [[Nima Sanandaji]], [[Tino Sanandaji]] & [[Arvid Malm]], [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB127862421912914915.html 'Un-Level Ground'], ''Wall Street Journal'', 9 July 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=64230 'The Economic Path to World Cup Success'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 6 July 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=64109 'Canada's ruinous tobacco display ban: economic and public health lessons'] (pdf), IEA Discussion Paper No.29, ''Institute of Economic Affairs'', 1 July 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8869/ 'Five-a-day won’t keep the doctor away'], ''Spiked'', 13 May 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/_literature_59813/A_Canadian_Lesson_for_a_Conservative_Minority_Government 'A Canadian Lesson for a Conservative Minority Government'], ''Democracy Institute'', 15 July 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/_literature_59094/UK_Campaign_Report_Card 'UK General Election - Campaign Report Card'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 5 May 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/_literature_59092/War_on_Working_Class_Culture 'The war on working class culture'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 4 May 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/29/health-paternalism-attacks-working-class 'Working class are under attack from health paternalism'], ''The Guardian'', 29 April 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/8659/ 'Let’s put cancerous myths to bed'], ''Spiked'', 28 April 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=56645 'Why Britain's election matters... to America'] (pdf), ''Democracy Institute'', 21 April 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/russia-s-war-on-drugs-is-identical-to-its-american-and-british-counterparts-it-s-a-failure 'Russia’s War on Drugs is identical to its American and British counterparts: it’s a failure'], ''Democracy Institute'', 7 April 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/patrick-basham-and-john-luik-on-the-food-addiction-myth 'Patrick Basham and John Luik on the food addiction myth'], ''Democracy Institute'', 6 April 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article7048445.ece 'Patrick Basham in The Times of London on Obama's smoking habit'], ''The Times'' (registration site), 4 March 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/despite-its-shortcomings-scrapping-sri-lankas-trade-benefits-would-only-impede-its-progress-toward 'Despite its shortcomings, scrapping Sri Lanka's trade benefits would only impede its progress toward'], ''Democracy Institute'', 12 February 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/12/sri-lanka-trade-democracy 'Sri Lanka needs carrot, not stick'], ''The Guardian'', 12 February 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] and [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/8033/ 'A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research'], ''Spiked'', 2 February 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/president-obama-s-fork-in-the-road 'President Obama’s Fork in the Road'], ''Democracy Institute'', 25 January 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/7968/ The myth of an ‘obesity tsunami’], ''Spiked'', 19 January 2010.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://townhall.com/columnists/patrickbasham/2009/12/24/in_defense_of_santa/page/full/ 'In Defense of Santa'], ''TownHall.com'', 24 December 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.amazon.com/Philip-Morris-Kennedy-Anti-Tobacco-Movement/dp/061528597X 'Butt Out! How Philip Morris Burned Ted Kennedy, the FDA & the Anti-Tobacco Movement'], ''Democracy Institute'', 12 April 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/Images/PDF/DI_Public_Smoking_Ban_Report.pdf Are Public Smoking Bans Necessary?], ''Democracy Institute'', 17 December 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/can-uk-avert-smoking-irish-failure 'Can the UK Avert a Smoking Irish Failure?'], ''Cato Institute'', 29 October 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/7626/ 'The City That Never Smokes'], ''Spiked'', 26 October 2009.
 +
*DI Report, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/Images/PDF/DI_Policy_Report_BMA_Alcohol_Ad_Ban.pdf 'Alcohol Advertising Bans'], ''Democracy Institute'', September 20 September 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/228145/senator-and-symbol/nro-symposium 'The Senator and the Symbol'], ''National Review Online'', 28 August 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/afghanistans-democratic-debacle 'Afghanistan's Democratic Debacle'], ''Cato Institute'', 21 August 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/7262/ 'Displaying the truth about policymaking'], ''Spiked'', 13 August 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/patrick-basham-and-john-luik-on-a-fat-doctor-in-the-white-house 'A fat doctor in the White House?'], ''Democracy Institute'', 29 July 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/patrick-basham-and-john-luik-on-discrimination-against-fat-african-american-women 'On discrimination against fat African-American women'], ''Democracy Institute'', 29 July 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/7159/ 'Banning alcohol ads won’t cure alcoholism'], ''Spiked'', 21 July 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/7104/ 'Turning fat people into social outcasts'], ''Spiked'', 30 June 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/7071/ 'Smoke gets in the government’s eyes'], ''Spiked'', 23 June 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/patrick-basham-on-the-unholy-alliance-between-philip-morris-the-fda-in-the-winston-salem-journal 'The unholy alliance between Philip Morris & the FDA'], ''Democracy Institute'', 5 June 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] and [[John Luik]], [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/announcements/patrick-basham-and-john-luik-s-soft-drink-tax-study-washington-legal-foundation-june-5-2009 'Kicking the soda can: Hard truths about a soft drink tax'], ''Democracy Institute'', 3 June 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]], [http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/keep-fda-away-tobacco 'Keep FDA away from tobacco'], ''Orange County Register'', 3 June 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6613/ 'A display of ignorance over youth smoking'], ''Spiked'', 29 April 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6316/ 'Women keep drinking'], ''Spiked'', 3 March 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6297/ 'Four fat myths about obesity and cancer'], ''Spiked'', 26 February 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6178/ 'Why the government can’t ‘cure’ obesity'], ''Spiked'', 4 February 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6083/ 'Change4Life: change we can’t believe in'], ''Spiked'', 7 January 2009.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6066/ 'A year of myths about smoking and obesity'], ''Spiked'', 23 December 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/6016/ 'Putting the government’s ignorance on display'], ''Spiked'', 11 December 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5682/ 'It’s official: you can be fat and fit'], ''Spiked'', 3 September 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5530/ 'The state-sanctioned bullying of fat kids'], ''Spiked'', 30 July 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5491/ 'Cigarettes and celluloid: a dubious link'], ''Spiked'', 21 July 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5422/ 'The fag end of advocacy research'], ''Spiked'', 3 July 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5362/ 'The perils of being big in Japan'], ''Spiked'', 18 June 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5200/ 'Body Mass Index: a big fat lie'], ''Spiked'', 28 May 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/5145/ 'A lesson for Britain’s obesity hysterics'], ''Spiked'', 14 May 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/4987/ 'A plastic ban for dummies'], ''Spiked'', 17 April 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/4929/ 'Take away the junk or we take away your kids'], ''Spiked'', 27 March 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/4893/ 'Censorship built on junk arguments'], ''Spiked'', 19 March 2008.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/4054/ 'Flabby claims about food and cancer'], ''Spiked'', 7 November 2007.
 +
*[[Patrick Basham]] & [[John Luik]], [http://www.spiked-online.com/site/article/2997/ 'Is dieting good for you?'], ''Spiked'', 22 March 2007.
 +
*[[John Luik]], [[Patrick Basham]] & [[Gio Gori]], 'Diet Nation: Exposing the Obesity Crusade', ''Social Affairs Unit'', 1 December 2006.
 +
*[[John Luik]], [http://democracyinstitute.org/Images/PDF/A_Picture_o_Health_Why_Graphic_Warnings_Don't_Work.pdf 'A Picture of Health? Why Graphic Warnings Don't Work'], ''Democracy Institute'', 2006.
  
 
==Affiliations==
 
==Affiliations==
−
 
+
[[Spiked]] |  [[Institute of Humane Studies]] |  [[Pacific Research Institute]] |  [[Mercatus Center]] |  [[International Foundation for Electoral Systems]] |  [[Cato Institute]] |  [[Independent Institute]] |  [[Social Affairs Unit]].<ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm Advisory Council], ''Democracy Institute'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref>
−
[[Spiked]] |  [[Institute of Humane Studies]] |  [[Pacific Research Institute]] |  [[Mercatus Center]] |  [[International Foundation for Electoral Systems]] |  [[Cato Institute]] |  [[Independent Institute]] |  [[Social Affairs Unit]]<ref>About Us, [http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AboutUs.htm Advisory Council], ''Democracy Institute'', Accessed 10-February-2010</ref>.
 
  
 
==Contact Details==
 
==Contact Details==
Line 77: Line 206:
 
:www.democracyinstitute.org
 
:www.democracyinstitute.org
 
:Email: info@democracyinstitute.org
 
:Email: info@democracyinstitute.org
 +
 +
==Resources==
 +
*David Miller and Steven Harkins [http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7638/244/rr Re: Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? Yes] ''British Medical Journal'', 16 April 2015.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 15:52, 17 April 2015

Democracy Institute Logo

The Democracy Institute describes itself as "a politically independent public policy research organisation".[1]

Founded in 2006, it claims to have bases in London and Washington DC. But it is not registered as a company or charity in the UK and is not registered as a 501(c) organization with the Internal Revenue Service in the US nor as a company in Washington DC or either of the surrounding states (Maryland and Virginia).[2] It claims to, 'further public education through the production and dissemination of accessible commentary and scholarship' [3] by providing a, “a balanced and thoughtful perspective on topical issues, promoting open and rational debate based on evidence rather than ideology”.[4]

The think tank argues against government regulation on issues including tobacco, alcohol, food and gambling, amongst other topics.[5][6][7]

People

Basham was previously the Founding director of the Social Affairs Center at Canada’s Fraser Institute, and was a senior fellow with the Cato Institute's Center for Representative Government.[9]Basham is a former tobacco industry lobbyist and publishes most of the research on the Institute's website along with John Luik who is also a former tobacco industry lobbyist.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

The following people are linked to the Democracy Institute through several published articles yet are not officially registered via the organisation's own website:

John Luik is a senior fellow of the Democracy Institute[22], and a tobacco industry consultant[23] who, according to reports, was sacked from two academic posts in Canada for misrepresenting his credentials[24][25]. He regularly co-authors articles in the media with Patrick Basham, the founder of the Democracy Institute, on a range of topics including tobacco regulation[26][27][28], obesity[29], alcohol[30] and public health[31].


Snowdon is an adjunct scholar with the Democracy Institute and a freelance journalist who regularly publishes article in the libertarian online magazine spiked.[32] His articles also challenge initiatives that threaten free market policies.


Advisory Council

As listed by the Democracy Institute: [33]


Democracy Institute connections to the Conservative movement

Social Network Analysis of the Democracy Institute and links to other conservative organisations.

Activities

The Democracy Institute’s research interests are within the following areas: Democratisation, education policy; electoral studies; the European Union; fiscal studies; health care; international relations ; obesity; and the regulation of risk.[58] The main focus of its attention is on public health initiatives that are likely to interfere with the marketing activities of the tobacco[59], alcohol[60] and food[61] industries. The Institute is regularly consulted by the media as a body of experts in public health issues with Patrick Basham and John Luik frequently appearing as media commentators, 37 worldwide newspaper articles between 2006 and 2010 cite Basham and Luik as experts on public health issues.[62]

Basham and Luik have published articles in 14 newspapers worldwide with Washington Times printing 6 articles, four of which express the Institute's pro-industry view on obesity. [63] The Washington Times is owned by News World Communications Incorporated, which is under the control of the Unification Church, Reverend Sun Myung Moon – also referred to as the Moonies. [64] The Washington Times is known for its conservative views as are eight of the newspapers that have published the work of Basham and Luik including The Australian (Fox Corporation), The Western Mail; The Irish Independent; New Zealand Herald; Philadelphia Inquirer; Star Tribune; Sunday Telegraph and the West Australian.[65]

In terms of magazines and journals Basham and Luik have published articles in The American Spectator and the National Review which both promote conservative ideology.[66] This again would suggest that the Democracy Institute adopts a partisan rather than independent perspective. Most prominently Basham and Luik have published articles on Spiked online.

Public Health

The two main researchers for the Democracy Institute, Patrick Basham and John Luik, have written in the British Medical Journal on obesity, [67] and Basham has separately written two BMJ blog posts on tobacco issues.[68][69]

On Obesity

In several articles attacking public health, Basham [70] [71][72][73] argues that four obesity claims are nothing but ‘myths’:

  • That the world is obese (both adults and children)
  • That being fat is a certain recipe for early death
  • That fatness stems from the manufacturing and marketing practices of the food industry
  • That we will lengthen our lives if only we eat less and lose weight.

According to Basham, there is no scientific evidence to support these myths. Basham claims that evidence produced by the The Scripps Research Institute in which ‘junk food’ was found to be addictive to rats due to the chemical reactions it causes in the brain are irrelevant to humans for the reason that it is been proved addictive to rats – not humans.

Basham and Luik recently published an article in spiked expressing their opinion concerning the San Francisco Board of Supervisor’s decision to approve a preliminary ban that would force fast food retailers to stop providing promotional toys with happy meals.[74] According to the article the ban would give parents an opportunity to promote healthier meal options to their children. According Basham and Luik in the article, the proposal is presumptuous as it assumes that the fast food industry and its marketing techniques contribute towards childhood obesity. The evidence-less Happy Meal ban should remind us that the entire idea of fat children is largely a cultural construct, not a scientific one. A hundred years ago, today's penchant for thin children would have been considered a shocking instance of child neglect.The idea that children weighing over a certain amount are fat or obese has no scientific foundation, as the dividing line between fat and normal is purely arbitrary, representing nothing more than a public health bureaucrat's notion of where normal ends and fat begins.[75]

More recently, Basham and Luik have criticised the NHS for proposing to prevent obese people from receiving certain operations due to lifestyle choices.[76] Basham and Luik (2011) present the following evidence in the article,

“Van Baal and his colleagues estimated lifetime health costs for three groups of 1,000 people: the ‘healthy-living’ group (thin and non-smoking), obese people, and smokers. The researchers found that from age 20 to 56, obese people racked up the most expensive health costs. But because both the smokers and the obese people died sooner than the healthy group, it cost less to treat them in the long run.”

The purpose of the article that Basham and Luik refer to as evidence was to examine the medical cost of obesity before considering implications for obesity prevention in order to reduce costs. The article concludes that obesity prevention to some extent, reduces health costs. [77]

On Equality

Wilkinson and Pickett's book The Spirit Level was criticised in a series of reports by the Taxpayers' Alliance, the Democracy Institute and the Policy Exchange. The criticisms from the Policy Exchange and the Taxpayers' Alliance were published just 24 hours apart.[78][79]

Transparency

The organisation’s website gives no information about its major funders however in his book, A Picture of Health? Why Graphic Warnings Don’t Work John Luik states that the writing of the book was, “made possible by funding provided by Imperial Tobacco Group PLC” indicating that the organisation has corporate associates.[80]

In a more recent article, Basham and Luik state the following, “The Democracy Institute has not received any funding from the food, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or indoor tanning industries to publish this paper. Nor have the authors received any funding from those industries to research and write this paper, the contents of which have not been shared with or reviewed by any individual or organisation affiliated with the food, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or indoor tanning industries.” [81]

Links

The Democracy Institute is a think tank with links to the Cato Institute [82] and Spiked online.[83]

Publications

Affiliations

Spiked | Institute of Humane Studies | Pacific Research Institute | Mercatus Center | International Foundation for Electoral Systems | Cato Institute | Independent Institute | Social Affairs Unit.[84]

Contact Details

London

Democracy Institute
2nd Floor
145-157 St John Street
London EC1V 4PY
0845 310 4144
www.democracyinstitute.org.uk
Email: info@democracyinstitute.org

Washington

Democracy Institute
2001 M St NW
Washington DC 20036
301 390 3711
www.democracyinstitute.org
Email: info@democracyinstitute.org

Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ The Democracy Institute (undated), About Us, (accessed 17th February 2011)
  2. ↑ David Miller and Steven Harkins Re: Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? Yes British Medical Journal, 16 April 2015, accessed 17 April 2015.
  3. ↑ The Democracy Institute (undated), About Us, (accessed 17th February 2011)
  4. ↑ The Democracy Institute (undated), About Us, (accessed 17th February 2011)
  5. ↑ Basham P, Luik J. NYC: The City that Never Smokes 26 October 2009. , [accessed 12 November 2014]
  6. ↑ Basham P, Luik J. A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research The Democracy Institute 2 February 2010. http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=38687 [accessed 12 November 2012]
  7. ↑ Basham P, Luik J.[ http://www.democracyinstitute.org/AnnouncementRetrieve.aspx?ID=37564 The myth of an ‘obesity tsunami’], The Democracy Institute 19 January 2010, [accessed 12 November 2014]
  8. ↑ About Us, About Us, Democracy Institute, accessed 10 February 2010
  9. ↑ Cato Institute (N.D) Patrick Basham accessed 6th April 2011
  10. ↑ Telefax, Tflb CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CIGARETTE MANUFACTURER LIMITED, CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CIGARETTE MANUFACTURER LIMITED, 22-June-1993
  11. ↑ Consultants, John Luik, Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, Accessed 10-February-2010
  12. ↑ Consultants, John Luik, Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, Accessed 10-February-2010
  13. ↑ Gori GB, Luik JC. Passive smoke: the EPA’s betrayal of science and policy. Vancouver, Canada: Fraser Institute, 1999
  14. ↑ Marsden, W., "Big tobacco's shell game with the truth," Montreal Gazette, June 21, 2001
  15. ↑ Montreal Gazette, Blowing smoke, Cornwall Standard Freeholder (Ontario), 2-July-2001
  16. ↑ Sherry Stein, Letter to Adrain Payne at British American Tobacco, 28-July-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 18-February-2010
  17. ↑ Sherry Stein, Letter to Martin Broughton, 28-January-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 20-February-2010
  18. ↑ Patrick Basham, Public Policy Sources, The Fraser Institute, 1-August-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 20-February-2010
  19. ↑ Press Release, Media Release, The Fraser Institute, 9-April-1999, Accessed Through Tobacco Archives 18-February-2010
  20. ↑ Patrick Basham, Public Policy Sources, The Fraser Institute, 1-August-2000, Accessed through Tobacco Archives 20-February-2010
  21. ↑ Basham and Luik, Five-a-day won’t keep the doctor away, Spiked, 13 May 2010, accessed 5 August 2010
  22. ↑ Patrick Basham and John Luik, NYC: The City That Never Smokes, Democracy Institute, 26 October 2009, Accessed 14 November 2014
  23. ↑ Consultants, John Luik, Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco, Accessed 10-February-2010
  24. ↑ CBC T.V. News and Current Affairs, June 21, 2001; CBC Television
  25. ↑ William Marsden, Luik lied to universities about his qualifications, The Montreal Gazette, 21-June-2001
  26. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, 'The Plain Truth - Does Packaging Influence Smoking?', Democracy Institute, 14 March 2012
  27. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, 'Prescription for conflict: why the alliance between the pharmaceutical industry and the anti-tobacco movement is not in the best interests of smokers', Economic Affairs, Volume 32, Issue 2, pages 41–46, June 2012
  28. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, 'Why the plain packaging consultation is deeply flawed', Institute of Economic Affairs, 9 July 2012
  29. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, Turning fat into a four-letter word, Spiked, 5 August 2013
  30. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, 'A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research', Spiked, 2 February 2010
  31. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, 'Working class are under attack from health paternalism', The Guardian, 29 April 2010
  32. ↑ About the Author, Velvet Glove Iron Fist website, accessed 4 August 2010
  33. ↑ About Us, Advisory Council, Democracy Institute, accessed 10 February 2010
  34. ↑ Institute for Humane Studies (N.D) Nigel Ashford, accessed 6th April 2010
  35. ↑ Pacific Research Institute(N.D)Jason Clemens accessed 6th April 2011
  36. ↑ Cato Institute (N.D) Veronique de Rugy accessed 6th April 2011
  37. ↑ Mercatus Center(N.D) Veronique de Rugy curriculum vitae, accessed 6th April 2011
  38. ↑ Mercatus Center (N.D) Veronique de Rugy accessed 6th April 2011
  39. ↑ Linkedin (N.D) Jamie Dettmer accessed 6th April 2011
  40. ↑ Jamie Dettmer & Associates (N.D) Jamie Dettmer & Associates accessed 6th April 2011
  41. ↑ Jamie Dettmer & Associates(N.D) Jamie Dettmer accessed 6th April 2011
  42. ↑ Jamie Dettmer (N.D) Jamie Dettmer accessed 6th April 2011
  43. ↑ Cato Institute(N.D)Chris Edwards accessed 6th April 2011
  44. ↑ Chris Edwards (N.D) Chris Edwards contributions accessed 6th April 2011
  45. ↑ Independent Institute (N.D) Ivan Eland accessed 6th April 2011
  46. ↑ American Spectator (N.D). Jeremy Lott accessed 6th April
  47. ↑ Competitive Enterprise Institute (N.D) Jeremy Lott accessed 6th April 2011
  48. ↑ 123 People (N.D) Michael Mosbacher, Esq's Biography accessed 6th April 2011
  49. ↑ Society for Quality Education (N.D) Who we are accessed 6th April 2011
  50. ↑ Society for Quality Education (N.D) Who we are accessed 6th April 2011
  51. ↑ Independent Institute (N.D) About us Charles V. Peña accessed 6th April 2011
  52. ↑ Independent Institute (N.D) About us Charles V. Peña accessed 6th April 2011
  53. ↑ Independent Institute (N.D) About us Charles V. Peña accessed 6th April 2011
  54. ↑ National Interest (N.D) Christopher A.Preble Accessed 6th April 2011
  55. ↑ Cato Institute, People, accessed 15 February 2010
  56. ↑ Heritage Foundation (2007, 2008) http://www.heritage.org/search?query=tupy Publications by Marian Tupy] accessed 6th April 2011
  57. ↑ Fraser Institute (N.D) [http://www.fraserinstitute.org/author.aspx?id=15422&txID=3324 Research and News) accessed 6th April 2011
  58. ↑ The Democracy Institute (undated), About Us, (accessed 17th February 2011)
  59. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, NYC: The City that Never Smokes, The Democracy Institute, 26 October 2009, accessed 30 March 2010
  60. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, A bleary-eyed attitude to alcohol research, The Democracy Institute, 2-February-2010, Accessed 30-March-2010
  61. ↑ Patrick Basham & John Luik, The myth of an ‘obesity tsunami', Democracy Institute, 19-January-2010, Accessed 30-March-2010
  62. ↑ Nexis UK (2011), Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham" (accessed 17th February 2011)
  63. ↑ Nexis UK (2011), Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham" (accessed 17th February 2011)
  64. ↑ Media Owners (n.d)See who owns the American media accessed 8th April, 2011
  65. ↑ WorldPress.org(n.d) World Newspapers and Magazines accessed 8th April 2011
  66. ↑ Nexis UK (2011), Nexis Search Terms "John Luik" and "Patrick Basham" (accessed 17th February 2011)
  67. ↑ Basham P, Luik J. Is the obesity epidemic exaggerated? Yes. BMJ 2008;336(244) http://www.bmj.com/content/336/7638/244 [accessed 12 November 2014]
  68. ↑ Basham P. The DOH is wrong about cessation. British Medical Journal 17 March 2010. http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2010/03/17/patrick-basham-the-doh-is-wrong-about-cessation/ [accessed 12 November 2014]
  69. ↑ Basham P. Not smoke-free but snus-free. British Medical Journal 6 April 2010. http://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2010/04/06/patrick-basham-not-smoke-free-but-snus-free/ [accessed 12 November 2014]
  70. ↑ Basham, P. & Luik,J. (2006)Four big, fat myths (accessed 24th February 2011)
  71. ↑ Basham, P & Luik,J.(2010)A happy meal is nothing to smile about (accessed 19th February 2011)
  72. ↑ Basham, P.(2010) "The myth of an obesity tsunami, Democracy Institute (accessed 24th February 2011
  73. ↑ Basham, P. & Luik, J. (2008)"Head To Head Is The Obesity Epidemic Exaggerated? Yes, “British Medical Journal”, (accessed 24th February 2011)
  74. ↑ Basham, P & Luik, J.(2010)A happy meal is nothing to smile about (accessed 19th February 2011)
  75. ↑ Basham, P & Luik (2010) happy meal is nothing to smile about (accessed 19th February 2011)
  76. ↑ Basham, P. & Luik,J. (2011), Healthcare for all unless you're fat!, Spiked online, (accessed 11th March 2011)
  77. ↑ Pieter H. M. Van Baal, P.H.M; Polder, J.J; Ardine de Wit, G.; Hoogenveen, R.T. Feenstra, T.L.; Boshuizen, H.C.; Engelfriet, P.M.; Brouwe,W. (2008), Medical Costs of Obesity: Prevention No Cure for Increasing Health Expenditure, PLoS Med 5(2): e29, (accessed 11th March 2011)
  78. ↑ Adams, T., (2008), Have the Right taken all the best ideas, the Guardian, 31-August-2008, Accessed 29-November-2010
  79. ↑ Booth, R., (2010), The Spirit Level: how ‘ideas wreckers’ turned book into a political punch bag, the Guardian, 14-August-2010, Accessed 29-November-2010
  80. ↑ Luik,J., (2006),A Picture of Health? Why Graphic Warnings Don’t Work, London, The Democracy Institute (accessed 28th February 2011)
  81. ↑ Basham, P. & Luik, J. (2006), The War on Working Class Culture London, The Democracy Institute (accessed 28th February 2011)
  82. ↑ Patrick Basham, Adjunct Scholar, The Cato Institute, Accessed 30-March-2010
  83. ↑ All Articles, Articles by Basham & Luik, Spiked, accessed 30 March 2010
  84. ↑ About Us, Advisory Council, Democracy Institute, Accessed 10-February-2010
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