The Mercatus Center is a research institute based at George Mason University in Virginia. It focuses on the study of market-oriented ideas and policies, aiming to improve public policy through academic research and education. The center promotes the principles of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government. Founded in 1980, the Mercatus Center collaborates with scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to analyze economic issues. It provides resources and data to support evidence-based decision-making, emphasizing the importance of understanding how markets function and the role of government in economic systems.