Think tank offers $10,000 for best articles

The International Policy Network (IPN), a London based think tank, is offering a $10,000 prize to writers anywhere in the world whose published articles work to promote the institutions of a free society – free speech, property rights, the rule of law, free markets and sound science.

The Bastiat Prize for Journalism, first held in 2002, is inspired by the 19th century French philosopher Frédéric Bastiat and his compelling belief in free trade and the defence of liberty. Bastiat's brilliant use of satire enabled him to turn even the most complex of economic issues into a tale to which the average person could relate. In keeping with this legacy, prize entries are judged according to the intellectual content of each article, the persuasiveness of the language used and the type of publication in which they appeared.

Last year the competition attracted over 140 entrants from 28 countries across the developed and the developing world: writers came from China, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Israel, UK, Sweden, Australia and the US.

Entries will be accepted between now and June 30th 2004 and must be in English. They can be in the form of one or more published articles totalling no more than 4,500 words inclusive.

Rules, regulations, judging criteria and previous entries can be found on IPN’s website: www.policynetwork.net