The Acton Institute believes that commerce is an essential component of the culture of any society, enabling individuals to freely serve the needs of one another through mutually beneficial exchange. We acknowledge the legitimate role of profit as an indicator that a business is functioning well, and affirm the importance of business as a calling. We advocate a strong civil society—the best antidote to unscrupulous business dealings—rather than burdensome government regulation that inhibits human freedom and stifles innovation and creativity.