Cato Institute

The Cato Institute is an American libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1977 by Ed Crane, Murray Rothbard, and Charles Koch, the institute is named after Cato's Letters, a series of essays published in the early 18th century that presented a vision of individual liberty and limited government.

History

The Cato Institute was originally established in San Francisco, California, and later moved to Washington, D.C. in 1981 to be closer to the center of U.S. political activity. The institute's founding was inspired by the principles of classical liberalism, emphasizing individual liberty, free markets, and peace.

Mission and Philosophy

The Cato Institute's mission is to "originate, disseminate, and increase understanding of public policies based on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace." The institute conducts research and advocacy on a wide range of policy issues, including economic policy, health care, education, foreign policy, and civil liberties.

Research and Publications

Cato publishes numerous books, policy studies, and the quarterly journal Cato Journal. It also hosts events and conferences to discuss policy issues. The institute's scholars and analysts frequently contribute to major media outlets and testify before Congress.

Key Areas of Focus

• Economic Policy: Cato advocates for free-market policies, tax cuts, and deregulation.
• Health Care: The institute supports market-based health care reforms and opposes government-run health care systems.
• Education: Cato promotes school choice and educational freedom.
• Foreign Policy: The institute favors a non-interventionist foreign policy and reduced military spending.
• Civil Liberties: Cato defends individual rights and opposes government surveillance and overreach.

Funding

The Cato Institute is funded through contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. It does not accept government funding.

Criticism and Controversy

Cato has faced criticism from both the left and the right. Critics argue that its policies favor the wealthy and large corporations. The institute's stance on climate change, which emphasizes market-based solutions, has also been controversial.

Also see

• Libertarianism
• Think tank
• Public policy
• Charles Koch
• Murray Rothbard