Aktionsgemeinschaft Soziale Marktwirtschaft (ASM): A Forgotten Think Tank of the Post-war Era

The chapter will provide a thorough account of the Aktionsgemeinschaft Soziale Marktwirtschafts (ASM) early history, its organizational structure and the vast array of activities. Initially established as a common endeavour with proponents of a free economy (Freiwirte), these influences were soon purposefully eliminated. Established to take part in the election campaign in 1953, the association became the key forum for the public propagation of a neoliberal agenda throughout the following decade. Thanks to Alexander Rüstow’s engagement, the experiences and skills developed during the Weimar Republic were successfully transferred into a full-fledged think-tank that gained wide public appeal. Based on archival material, the chapter discloses the ASM’s financial ties, casting a large shadow of doubt on its countless declarations of independence and objectivity. In addition, the chapter investigates the close cooperation between the association’s leadership and the Ministry of Economics. It shows that not only the associations proclaimed independence, but likewise its openly voiced criticisms of the government’s policies were an agreed upon strategy. The strategic cooperation negotiated behind the scenes in support of Economics Minister Ludwig Erhard, demonstrates how powerful “organized neoliberalism” in Germany had been at the time.