Understanding the functioning of free economies--how to preserve them, how to solve the problems that arise in them, and how to capitalize on their strengths--is one of AEI's primary goals. This section of the website is home to AEI research, books, and events focused on the basic facts and underlying trends that define the outlook for the U.S. and global economies.

AEI's work on foreign and defense policy seeks to understand how American interests and political and economic freedom can be protected and advanced around the world. This section of the website gathers together AEI research, books, and events focused on foreign and defense policy studies.

AEI's health policy studies program has been a leader in the debates on health care policy, Medicare reform, health coverage for the uninsured, the role of private-sector solutions to public health problems, drug policy, the role of the FDA, the development of vaccines, and the effects of price controls on pharmaceutical R&D. This section of the website gathers together AEI research, books, and events focused on health policy studies.

The AEI Legal Center for the Public Interest coordinates AEI's research on the Supreme Court and constitutional law, liability and tort reform, international law and sovereignty, and antitrust policy. This section of the website gathers together AEI research, books, and events focused on the legal and constitutional aspects of current policy controversies.

AEI's research is informed by the understanding that freedom and prosperity depend on healthy political institutions. This section of the website gathers together AEI research, books, and events focused on political and public opinion studies.

AEI's research is informed by the understanding that freedom and prosperity depend on healthy social institutions. This section of the website gathers together AEI research, books, and events focused on social and cultural studies.