Notoria | Bolivian think tank for a free society

Our conviction

Full individual freedom, without coercion, is the natural condition for human flourishing.

Who we are

Notoria is a think tank founded by university professors in 2007 with the conviction of fostering a free society. Its purpose is to promote economic education, individual rights, neuroeconomics, and free markets as key elements for human flourishing and prosperity.

Notoria has no ties to political parties. It is not subordinate to any economic, social, political, or religious group.

Educational methods
Based on neuroeconomics and psychology
Foundation
Established in 2007 by academics in La Paz, Bolivia
Academic focus
Centered on education and research
Independence
No political or economic affiliation

Who we work for

Leaders
Politicians
Students
Businesspeople
Entrepreneurs
Professionals
Teachers and trainers
Educational and cultural institutions
People interested in individual freedom, the market economy, and personal development

Statue of justice holding scales, in golden tones on a dark background

Philosophical foundations

We believe that freedom is the primary condition for human flourishing. To flourish means to possess the capacity and potential for free exchange and interaction among individuals and groups. Our focus is on the individual and their freedom to act within the framework of general, abstract norms and with respect for spontaneous order.

In particular, the economy has a direct influence on human flourishing, as it determines the real freedom of choice regarding saving, investment, exchange, production, private property, consumption, and entrepreneurship. These actions are made possible by social cooperation, moral dignity, and free markets.

From a neuroeconomic perspective, education for freedom is possible through the recognition and training of the organism's capacity to choose its own future; a capacity that resides in the prefrontal cortex, which frees us from the tyranny of the past and of present stimuli (Fuster, 2014). Thus, educating free minds is possible by understanding the biological infrastructure of freedom.

Human freedom
The primary condition for human flourishing, emphasizing interactivity and science.
Economy and freedom
The direct influence of the economy on freedom of choice and entrepreneurship.
Private property rights
The recognition of personal autonomy and moral dignity through property.
Development of capabilities
The growth of potential through cognitive and emotional exchanges.
Spontaneous orders
The emergence of social systems through free interaction.

How do we promote human flourishing?

Human flourishing

To flourish means to possess the capacity and potential for free exchange and interaction among individuals and groups.

Without economic freedom there is no flourishing, only forced adaptation.

Economic freedom

Fosters flourishing and autonomy

Forced adaptation

Leads to conformity and lack of choice

Vision

To be a leading intellectual think tank in economic education, neuroeconomics, and freedom for human flourishing in Latin America.

We recognize how human interactions enable individuals to develop moral and autonomous potential, and how they strengthen free societies that are prosperous both economically and morally.

Economics
Psychology
Ethics
Human virtues

Free and prosperous societies

Mission

To inspire, educate and develop human capabilities through economic education, neuroeconomics, psychology and human values, creating spaces for art and freedom.

To connect with future leaders who promote the principles of life, human flourishing, and free societies.

Latent potential
Human capabilities yet to be developed
Real education
Real options, not just formal ones
Freedom to think
Choose, create and develop potential
Stimulated virtues
Prudence, courage, temperance, love, faith
Human flourishing
Leaders and ordinary people cooperating

Freedom is preferring the risks of autonomy to the security of servitude.

Antonio Escohotado
Capitalism, far from impoverishing the masses, has improved their situation beyond any expectation ever imagined.

Carlos Rangel
Man is not free unless government is limited.

Ronald Reagan
If history could prove and teach us anything, it would be that private ownership of the means of production is a necessary requirement for civilization and material well-being.

Ludwig von Mises
If one person is entitled to something they did not earn, it necessarily follows that another person is not entitled to something they did earn.

Walter Williams

Programs

Three training and research programs, with in-person and online courses.

Economic growth and prosperity studies

Modalities

Discussion and research platform focused on the Bolivian economy and the region

Neuroeconomics and human flourishing

Professor: Silvia Aleman

Neuroeconomics: Freedom is the capacity of the organism to choose its own future, and that capacity resides in the prefrontal cortex.
The NeuroFreedom Lab: In this laboratory you will understand how economic freedom influences human decision-making and flourishing and prosperity.
Flourishing Index (IFH): Freedom, perceived progress and economic stability.
Perceived Freedom Index (ILP): Measures how people live freedom, not just the theory.
Psychological Capital Index (ICP): Foundation of economic psychology.
Decision Quality Index (ICD): Measures how people and organizations decide.
Workshops: Saving as impulse inhibition; saving as temporal integration; fear as cognitive noise.

Modalities

Theoretical training: two hours per week
In-person courses
Virtual courses
Intensive workshops
Youth programs

Hayek School of Psychology (HSP)

Professor: Silvia Aleman

Education in evolutionary psychology and training in the Austrian School of Economics. It is a training program in political philosophy and liberal and libertarian schools of thought. Network: leadership and political training in political philosophy, economics, history and neuroscience.

Modalities

In-person courses
Online courses
Intensive workshops
Youth programs
Joint programs with international partners

Featured videos

Our team

Silvia Aleman Menduina

CEO and founding partner of Notoria
Education and experience

Education
- PhD (c) Behavioral Economics
- Master in Economics, Universidad Francisco Marroquín de Guatemala
- B.A. Psychologist, Catholic University of Bolivia
Experience
- Research advisor in Neuroeconomics and member of the Scientific Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, Santa Cruz
- Professor at the School of Business Sciences of the Private University of Santa Cruz
Rómulo A. Chumacero

President and founding partner of Notoria
Education and experience

Education
- Ph.D. Economics, Duke University
- M.A. Economics, ILADES-Georgetown University
- B.A. Economics, Catholic University of Bolivia
Experience
- Full Member of the Bolivian Academy of Economic Sciences
- Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Chile and editor of Economic Studies
Alejandro F. Mercado

Founding partner of Notoria
Education and experience

Education
- Doctorate in Economics
- B.A. Economics, Catholic University of Bolivia
Experience
- Emeritus Professor at the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (La Paz, Bolivia)
- Full Member of the Bolivian Academy of Economic Sciences
- Vice-Rector of the Bolivian Catholic University (UCB)
- Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences at UCB
- Director of the Economics Program at UCB
- Director of the Institute of Socio-Economic Research (IISEC) at UCB
Maricarmen Paz

Journalist and public relations specialist at Notoria
Education and experience

Education
- Communicator, Catholic University of Bolivia
Experience
- Expert in Corporate Communication
Juan Pablo Bazan Davezies

Web developer and designer of the Notoria site
Education and experience

Education
- M.A. Data Science & Analytics, MIOTI, Spain
- M.A. Design Thinking & Customer Experience, EAE Business School, Spain
- B.A. Financial Engineering, UPB
Experience
- Web Development, data analysis, and data science
- Business Intelligence
- Human Resources