The Kant Institute

Our Organization

An open forum for the big thinkers of the next generation...

Sapere Aude

- Immanuel Kant

Dear Reader, We are at a truly fascinating time in the evolution of our country. Increasing globalization, combined with significant changes in the nature of our economy and society have created an environment with an unparalleled level of access and knowledge for the average citizen. Despite this fact, there is an increasing gap between the majority of the population and the politicans found in Washington D.C. Its about time that we bring politics back to earth. At The Kant Institute, we hope to facilitate this development. While we realize that policy is often the best manner in which to enact broad societal changes, we also believe that policy people arent always the best ones to create those changes. Through our organization, we hope to empower the teachers of this country to develop education policy, the social advocates to write immigration reform, and the enlisted soldier to influence technological needs. With the assistance of our policy board, senior fellows of The Kant Institute will be given an unmatched level of independence to develop projects directed towards the advancement of our society unhindered by election-cycle agendas and entrenched viewpoints of increasingly marginalized parties. Once the projects have reached critical mass, our team of administrative staff will utilize their connections throughout the Capital Beltway to ensure their work reaches the right ears. As it currently stands, our organization is dedicating human capital toward three key issues: national security, education, and budgetary reform. Unlike other policy institutes, we hope our products appeal as much to the everyday citizen as to the legislator we simply wouldnt be satisifed if it were any other way. Through policy briefs and op-eds, congressional briefings and podcasts, we will spare no effort to ensure that our shareholders, the citizens of the United States, have their voices heard. Looking towards the future, we have no doubt that our organization will be a driving force in the way politics is done in this country. By distancing our research from our policy, we will create a multi-faceted body of knowledge that is not only insightful, but also courageous; not only collaborative, but also frank. We hope you come along with us as we take the first steps of our journey towards cultivating an open forum for the big thinkers of the next generation. Warm regards,

Adin Dobkin CEO of The Kant Institute

Our Values

Insightful The importance of comprehensive research and analysis for a policy institute cannot be underestimated. That being said, we strive to generate opinions and investigate concepts that go beyond present-day issues. We hope that by utilizing this philosophy, we can generate solutions that are proactive and long-term in nature. Accessible We hope that the research and advocacy presented by the Institute will not only serve to inform legislators, but also involve citizens. By leveling the playing field, we can strengthen the efficacy of policies by ensuring they complement the American way of life, rather than restrict it. Courageous By remaining unaligned in the political spectrum, we forego some of the support that is given to mainstream parties. However, it is through this lack of alignment that we are free to examine solutions and compromises that serve to positively impact the greatest number of people unrestricted by political agendas. Open-minded In order to ensure that our nonpartisan institute remains such, we must remain open to reason and logic, not our personal biases. Running a republic exposes the population to hundreds of critical issues and each of these issues must be looked at individually, rather than defining the entirety of them by ones party platform. Farsighted Proactive policymaking requires vision. An extended horizon ensures that the future generations of this nation arent weighed down by outdated and irrelevant policies. Effective governance should act as sturdy scaffolding to support the population and culture of the state in future years. Collaborative We realize that our thinkers cannot address all topics and opinions. To help us account for this fact, we hope to work with citizens and public officials alike to create a dialogue that best reflects the diversity of citizens ideas. Together, we can develop new theories and strategies. Frank Too often groundbreaking ideas are quashed by politics. Our institute seeks to be an environment where this regressive concept doesnt occur. By remaining open and honest with ourselves and those who benefit from our work, we hope to stimulate a culture where big thinkers have the best opportunity for success, regardless of whether their ideas are new or unconventional. Empathetic Collaborating with individuals across a broad spectrum of philosophies is effective only if we can understand each others views and how we came to develop them. Through this intellectual empathy, we can create compromises that are beneficial to all groups and move away from modern-day power struggles between increasingly marginalized parties. Thought provoking Our work will only be effective if it inspires others to think and join in the conversation working towards a more positive environment in the United States. We cannot hope to be entirely comprehensive in our work, especially when it deals with complex issues like education and governance. Its with this fact in mind that we hope our building blocks stimulate the development of new and creative ideas that further our goals of cultural development. Hopeful If we didnt believe our country had the potential for positive change, we wouldnt be doing this. Above all else, we believe that the solutions we develop will generate constructive forces to help in small and large communities alike. We not only have optimism that our politics can develop, but also our country as a whole, if we ensure that our policies support us rather than hinder us.

Our Leadership
ADin Dobkin

As an experienced member of the political process in Washington D.C., Adin works to ensure the proper implementation of research strategies along with policy advocacy for the institute. With a background in economics, Adin has experience from a variety of perspectives in politics, from think tanks and consulting firms to local political campaigns. He is currently a consultant specializing in government contracting for small and mid-size businesses as well as an adjunct fellow of the American Security Project

CEO & Director of National Security division

Andrew brings his experience as a computer scientist to the formation of new and innovative research projects for the institute. Throughout his schooling, Mather has focused on programming and economics, with additional experience in financial management and investment strategies. He currently attends Stanford University, where he is involved in multiple startup firms entering their initial round of capitalization and, in one case, monetization.

COO & Director of Budgetary Concerns Division

ANDREW MATHER

Julie Thompson-DobkiN
Julie has brought her extensive training in neurology to bring a new perspective to one of the most pressing domestic issues the United States faces the education of its children. Her subsidiary organization, The Hidden Truths Project, brings about cultural awareness of societal matters through art.

Director of Education Division

THe Platform

A newly designed, user-friendly website interface allows The Kant Institute to disseminate information across various spheres of influence including the public, media, and policymakers. In addition to website-based content like podcasts, videos, and blog posts, the site will include a calendar which features physical events sponsored by The Kant Institute and located throughout the country. Proprietary web-based programs will be a cornerstone of future Institute projects thanks to the oversight of COO Andrew Mather.

Join us on twitter & facebook @Kantinst | facebook.com/kantinstitute

Current Projects
Budgetary Concerns
It is no secret that U.S. fiscal policy has gone through an almost tragic time, becoming so expansionary even in times of limited economic growth, that is has become a cause of major concern for both economists and politicans alike. While our national debt has stayed within an acceptable range despite this spending, its trajectory is truly worrying. The framework we create to deal with this problem over the next decade will determine if the nation can maintain the comparative advantages it has enjoyed in the global markets for the past sixty years.

Director: Andrew Mather

In the United States, there is an increasing reliance on a one-size-fits-all approach to education through the implementation of Common Core Standards. These standards were designed to be robust and relevant, reflecting the knowledge and skills that young individuals need for success in college and the real world alike. The problem with this approach is that success is built solely on the ability to memorize facts and master test-taking skills. Subjects, such as the arts, that cannot be tested, have bore the brunt of neglect as a result of this program. With budgetary cuts in education and the enforcement of Common Core Standards, arts programs have taken a hit across the nation. The arts offer creative outlets to find solutions to problems, which in turns stimulates the next generation of entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators. Only through the support of a well-rounded education will our society be able to develop the next genration of creative thinkers and place us in a better position to compete on a global level.

Director: Julie Thompson-Dobkin

Education

National Security
The field of national security has never seen a greater disparity between the facts and current practices. Whether it is a matter of technological practices and contracting protocol, or force organization and capabilities, the Iron Triangle has reached a point of total ossification. We see it in significantly flawed blue ticket items like the F-35 just as much as an increasingly mismanaged force composition that place a premium on top-heavy troops. While these problems may not have reached critical levels as it currently stands, it will take a revamping of the system now to ensure that it can take a shock when it counts.

Director: Adin Dobkin

Membership

A collaborative environment dedicated towards shaping public policy

An individual or corporate membership to The Kant Institute is more than a simple pledge to a non-profit organization. It is a ticket to the the highest level of policy research and advocacy in the United States. It is a chance to ensure that the gap between citizens and policymakers becomes smaller. Its the opportunity to work with the next generation of big thinkers in the closest manner possible. The Kant Institutes membership program is our most direct method of communicating with involved citizens and firms who wish to interact with the leading thinkers and practioners of public policy and advocacy through access to events, literature, and engagement with these indviduals. We invite you to contact us in order to better explain the many benefits that can be derived from a partnership with The Kant Institute.

benefits of membership
Invitations to exclusive roundtable discussions and dinners with Kant Institute experts and board members Private briefings by Kant Institute experts tailored to the specific interests of your firm Special recognition in Kant Institute literature The opportunity to customize benefits corresponding to level of support

How to join
To learn more about the ways in which you or your firm can become involved with The Kant Institute and its research, please contact: Adin Dobkin CEO of The Kant Institute adobkin@kantinstitute.com

Contact Us

The kant institutes organizational model relies upon partnerships with involved citizens, active corporations, and supportive government agencies. if you are interested in helping us reach our shared goals, we invite you to contact us and discuss what opportunities we can help each other realize. contact@kantinstitute.com

The Kant Institute

the Kant Institute is a non-profit political research organization dedicated to social development and the creation of an Open forum for the big thinkers of the next generation