The Minnesota Association of Scholars exists to promote rational discourse, free speech, intellectual rigor, and an understanding of our heritage as the foundation of academic life in a free and democratic society. Central to this purpose is academic freedom, the freedom for students and faculty to pursue and disseminate knowledge and opinion without fear of repression or retaliation.

We are committed to the “marketplace of ideas,” Justice Holmes’ and Justice Brandeis’ notion that the best result for society comes from the vigorous and tough-minded exploration of the full range of ideas about important social, economic, and political issues. Accordingly we promote free expression for everbody, and we vigorously oppose all forms of assault on freedom of speech and expression.

We are avowedly non-partisan. We represent no political party – Democrat, Republic, Independent, Libertarian, or Green – and we support no candidate for office. We believe that every party has some good ideas, and some bad ones. We simply want students and faculty to be able to hear and discuss all of them, especially the unpopular and politically incorrect.

Our special contribution to the marketplace of ideas is largely a corrective one. Although no one, neither the political right nor left, holds a monopoly on indoctrination, we believe that students in important parts of many of our colleges and universities cannot participate in the marketplace of ideas because powerful political forces exclude moderate and conservative ideas from the dialogue, even in the classroom. Accordingly, we make a special effort to bring these ideas into the mix.