The Sutherland Institute

The Sutherland Institute’s philosophy is simple: We believe that parents are responsible for their childrens' education and that the state role in education is primarily as a support to parents. We also believe that educational freedom is a necessary ingredient in providing the best education possible for each individual student.

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Sutherland Journal of Law & Public Policy

The Sutherland Institute is a conservative public policy think tank committed to shaping Utah law and policy based on a core set of governing principles.

We strive to make Utah an example of good government for the rest of the nation and a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Limited Governments as the Essence of Good Government
Family as the Fundamental Unit of Society
Private Property as the Cornerstone of Economic Freedom
Charity as the Wellspring of a Caring Community
Religion as the Moral Compass of human progress
Free Markets as the Engine of Economic Prosperity
Personal Responsibility as the Basis of Self-Government

Policy Reports
WHAT UTAH TEACHERS THINK ABOUT “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND”: AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY A new survey shows that 81 percent of Utah teachers have an unfavorable Download PROMOTING EDUCATION INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN UTAH Innovative entrepreneurs are catalysts of change that can bring meaningful reform to Utah's schools. Download

Major Publications

Out of the Closet: A Candid Behind-the-Scenes Dialogue on Gay Rights Part 1
This candid email discussion of gay rights was published in 3 parts in order to provide civil discussion to an emotional issue. Part 1 addresses civil unions, sexual orientation, and hate crime laws.
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Out of the Closet: A Candid Behind-the-Scenes Dialogue on Gay Rights Part 2
This candid email discussion of gay rights was published in 3 parts in order to provide civil discussion to an emotional issue. Part 2 addresses gay identity and science issues.
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Legal Publications

Does the Family Have a Future?
William C. Duncan's North Dakota Law Review article gives the legal reason for defining marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman.
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Removing Classrooms from the Battlefield
Paul Mero and Daniel E. Witte explore the history of compulsory public education and its paternalistic roots. The article was published in the 2008 BYU Law Review.
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Essays and Speeches
In Between Church and State: A Case Study on Salt Lake City’s Nondiscrimination Ordinances Download Unconventional Thoughts on the Economic Downturn…and the New Economy Ahead Download