The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) is a non-profit American, libertarian think tank founded on March 9, 1984 in Washington, D.C. by lobbyist Fred L. Smith, Jr that purports to advance economic liberty and fight what they perceive is over-regulation by what they call "big government". CEI's stated belief is that people are best helped not by government regulation of commercial interests, but by a free marketplace in which entrepreneurship and innovation to truly thrive. CEI states that it "promotes liberal ideals through analysis, education, coalition-building, advocacy," and when appropriate, "litigation." CEI offers or has offered analysis and advocacy on public policy issues such as energy, environment, biotechnology, pharmaceutical regulation, chemical risk, telecommunications,