The Advocates for Self-Government is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. Founded in 1985, we help people understand, embrace, and advocate the values of self-government. Below is a quick tour — each section links to a fuller page.
Our Mission
Equipping people to advocate self-government.
We are a community that champions human happiness, harmony, and prosperity through the values of self-government — persuasion over coercion, voluntary cooperation, and respect for persons and property.
Read more →Our Vision
A world of self-governing people.
A society where individuals take responsibility for their own lives and communities, working together through voluntary association rather than coercion.
Read more →Our History
From Marshall Fritz to 29 million quizzes taken.
Founded in 1985 by Marshall Fritz, who in 1987 created what became our most famous contribution to political discourse: the World's Smallest Political Quiz. Forty years and several presidents later, the work continues.
Read more →Our Programs
The Quiz, OPH, Quiz in the Classroom — and what you can do with them today.
Every program ASG runs, filtered by who you are: a curious individual, an educator, an activist, or a partner. Each program has a clear next step, and the resource library at the bottom is downloadable.
Read more →Our Philosophy
Persuasion, voluntary cooperation, personal responsibility.
Meaningful social change comes through winning hearts and minds, working together by choice not by force, and acknowledging that coercion — whether by a person or an institution — always increases suffering.
Read more →Join Our Community
Open to people from all political backgrounds.
Whether you're new to the ideas of self-government or a seasoned advocate, we invite you to join our growing community. The Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan educational organization.
Get involved →Reports & Publications
Recent annual and impact reports, plus published research and program reports about our reach and outcomes — a 501(c)(3) transparency signal for donors, partners, and grant-makers.
Our Mission
To equip people to understand, embrace, and advocate the values of self-government.
We are a community that champions human happiness, harmony, and prosperity through the values of self-government. These include persuasion and voluntary cooperation, personal responsibility, and respect for persons and their property. Those who advocate for self-government reject the initiation of force as a means of solving social problems. Instead, we promote a social philosophy that promises greater public safety, effective regulation, and compassionate welfare.
Our Vision
A world of self-governing people living in a condition of happiness, harmony, and prosperity.
We envision a society where individuals take responsibility for their own lives and communities, working together through voluntary association rather than coercion. In this world, solutions to social challenges emerge from the creativity and cooperation of free people, not from the mandates of distant bureaucracies.
Our Philosophy
Self-government begins with the individual, but it is not a solitary endeavor. It is also a social and civic pursuit that brings both the fruits of freedom and prosperity, along with important responsibilities. The Advocates works to build a community of people who not only embody these principles in their daily lives but actively share these values with others.
We believe that meaningful social change comes through:
- Persuasion over coercion: Winning hearts and minds rather than imposing solutions
- Voluntary cooperation: People working together by choice, not by force
- Personal responsibility: Individuals taking ownership of their lives and communities
- Human Respect: Acknowledging that coercion–whether by a person or an institution–always increases suffering
Join Our Community
Whether you’re new to the ideas of self-government or a seasoned advocate for liberty, we invite you to join our growing community. Together, we’re building a world where people are free to pursue happiness, create prosperity, and live in harmony through voluntary cooperation.
The Advocates for Self-Government is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan educational organization. We welcome individuals from all political backgrounds who are interested in exploring the principles of self-government and their practical applications to today’s challenges.
”That government is best which governs not at all; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have.” – Henry David Thoreau