Social Affairs Unit

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Social Affairs Unit
AbbreviationSAU
Formation1980;44 years ago (1980)
Type Social policy think tank
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Director
Michael Mosbacher (2004 - 2019)
Website www.socialaffairsunit.org.uk

The Social Affairs Unit is a right-leaning think tank in the United Kingdom. [1] Founded in 1980 as an offshoot of the Institute of Economic Affairs, it publishes books on a variety of social issues. Its website notes that "many SAU supporters are inclined to believe that the generation which fought the Second World War were rather too keen on social engineering over the goals of personal responsibility". [2]

Contents

The Unit published Standpoint (2008 - 2021), a monthly cultural and political newsstand magazine edited by Daniel Johnson (2008 - 2018), Michael Mosbacher (2018 - 2019), Edward Lucas (2019 - 2020) and Andreas Campomar (2020 - 2021).

History

The Social Affairs Unit was established in December 1980 as an offshoot of the Institute of Economic Affairs, in order to carry the IEA's economic ideas into the field of sociology. [3] "Within a few years the Social Affairs Unit became independent from the IEA, acquiring its own premises." [3] Founded in 1980 as a registered charity, [4] its founder chairman was Professor Julius Gould, and its founder Director, Dr. Digby Anderson. Anderson often contributed leading articles to UK national newspapers, [3] was Director from 1980 to 2004, when he retired and was succeeded by Michael Mosbacher. [5]

Funding

The Social Affairs Unit raised approximately £4,300 in funds from its publications which were underwritten by £10,000 in donations. [6] Documents released as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement showed that the Unit accepted funding from British American Tobacco in the 1980s. [7]

People

Trustees

Other

Advisory Council

See also

Books

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References

  1. it is "commonly described as a right wing 'think-tank'". M. E. Tasker; D. E. Packham, "Freedom, funding and the future of the universities", Studies in Higher Education, Volume 15, Issue 2 1990, pages 181 - 195. p190
  2. Social Affairs Unit, About Us, accessed 9 August 2010
  3. 1 2 3 Muller, Christopher (1996), "The institute of economic affairs: Undermining the post-war consensus", Contemporary British History, Volume 10, Issue 1 Spring 1996, pages 88 - 110. p102
  4. Social Affairs Unit, Charity Commission, charity number 281530
  5. Digby Anderson, Social Affairs Unit Why oldies should be amused and amusing February 24, 2005], Accessed May 2, 2008
  6. "THE SOCIAL AFFAIRS UNIT filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  7. Legacy Tobacco Documents Library