Cato's Mission & VisionThe Jeffersonian philosophy that animates Cato's work has increasingly come to be called "libertarianism" or "market liberalism." It combines an appreciation for entrepreneurship, the market process, and lower taxes with strict respect for civil liberties and skepticism about the benefits of both the welfare state and foreign military adventurism.This vision brings the wisdom of the American Founders to bear on the problems of today. As did the Founders, it looks to the future with optimism and excitement, eager to discover what great things women and men will do in the coming century. Market liberals appreciate the complexity of a great society, recognizing that socialism and government planning are just too clumsy for the modern world. It is -- or used to be -- the conventional wisdom that a more complex society needs more government, but the truth is just the opposite. The simpler the society, the less damage government planning does. Planning is cumbersome in an agricultural society, costly in an industrial economy, and impossible in the information age. Today collectivism and planning are outmoded and backward, a drag on social progress.Cato InstituteCato_a17b77a0-6df4-11df-92e3-6a267a64ea2aThe Cato Institute is a public policy research organization -- a think tank -- dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues.LibertariansLibertarians have a cosmopolitan, inclusive vision for society. We applaud the progressive extension of the promises of the Declaration of Independence to more people, especially to women, African-Americans, religious minorities, and gay and lesbian people. Our greatest challenge today is to continue to extend the promise of political freedom and economic opportunity to those who are still denied it, in our own country and around the world.LiberalsToday, those who subscribe to the principles of the American Revolution -- individual liberty, limited government, the free market, and the rule of law -- call themselves by a variety of terms, including conservative, libertarian, classical liberal, and liberal. We see problems with all of those terms. "Conservative" smacks of an unwillingness to change, of a desire to preserve the status quo. Only in America do people seem to refer to free-market capitalism -- the most progressive, dynamic, and ever-changing system the world has ever known -- as conservative. Additionally, many contemporary American conservatives favor state intervention in some areas, most notably in trade and into our private lives."Classical liberal" is a bit closer to the mark, but the word "classical" fails to capture the contemporary vibrancy of the ideas of freedom."Liberal" may well be the perfect word in most of the world -- the liberals in societies from China to Iran to South Africa to Argentina tend to be supporters of human rights and free markets -- but its meaning has clearly been altered in the contemporary United States.Cato StaffAustin BraggDirector of Audio Visual ProductionKhristine BrookesVice President for CommunicationsCaleb BrownDirector of MultimediaSarah BryantMarketing CoordinatorBrandi DunnMarketing ManagerBob GarberDirector of MarketingJohn GlaserManager of Media RelationsBlair GwaltneyAudio/Visual Production CoordinatorMeaghan LeisterDirector of Broadcast OutreachAndrew MastDirector of Web CommunicationsAlexa MoserMedia Relations CoordinatorBrian MullisMedia Relations CoordinatorEleanor O'ConnorMarketing ManagerLester RomeroMultimedia CoordinatorKevin SennettStudio Production ManagerGrace HoganExecutive Scheduler/Development AssistantJenna HuhnSpecial Events ManagerSallie JamesDirector of DevelopmentDavid KirbyVice President of DevelopmentHarrison MoarDirector of Sponsor ServicesGreta PisarczykDevelopment CoordinatorTimothy ReuterDevelopment Research AssistantReid SmithDirector of DevelopmentJohn TamnySenior DirectorGayllis WardAssociate Vice President of DevelopmentBen Wyche VResearch ManagerChip BishopDirector of Student ProgramsHeather CurryDirector of External AffairsJohn ManiscalcoDirector of Congressional AffairsLinda Ah-SueVice President, Events & ConferencesVirginia AndersonChief Information OfficerEvan BanksProducer, Libertarianism.orgAshley BensonConference CoordinatorAlexandra BubbConference ManagerRachel GoldmanConference ManagerGene HealyVice PresidentJon HeimermanChief Administrative Officer/Vice President for Finance and AdministrationDan JacksonStaff WriterMackenzie JohnsonConference RegistrarDavid LampoPublications DirectorJessica Lucas, Jr.Web DesignerJose MedinaConference SpecialistJon MeyersArt DirectorScott MorrisonManager of Web TechnologiesAlan PetersonDirector of MISClaudia RingelManager of Editorial ServicesBeth SantosExecutive Assistant to the PresidentKelley SkeltonSenior Accounting ManagerJohn SzamosiWeb Technology AssistantValerie UsherDirector of Finance and ControllerJason VinesSenior Web Application DeveloperCato Board of DirectorsJohn A. AllisonPresident & CEO, Cato Institute; Retired Chairman & CEO, BB&TK. Tucker AndersenDirector, Above All AdvisorsCarl BarneyChairman, Center for Excellence in Higher EducationBaron BondExecutive Vice President, The Foundation Group LLCRichard J. DennisPresident, Dennis Trading GroupPeter N. Goettlerformer Managing Director, Barclays CapitalEthelmae C. HumphreysChairman, Tamko Roofing Products, Inc.James M. KiltsPartner, Centerview Capital Holdings; former CEO, The Gillette CompanyDavid H. KochExecutive Vice President, Koch Industries, Inc.James M. Lapeyre, Jr.President, Laitram, LLCRobert A. LevyChairman, Cato InstituteJohn C. MaloneChairman, Liberty Media CorporationPreston MarshallPresident/CEO, Rusk Capital ManagementNancy M. PfotenhauerPresident and CEO, MediaSpeak StrategiesLewis E. RandallFormer Director, E*Trade FinancialHoward S. RichChairman, U.S.Term LimitsDonald G. SmithPresident, Donald Smith & Co., Inc.Nestor R. Weigand, Jr.Chairman and CEO, JP Weigand & Sons, Inc.Jeffrey S. YassManaging Director, Susquehanna International Group, LLPFred YoungFormer Owner, Young Radiator Company... free, open, and civil societies founded on libertarian principles._512a4d5e-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeTo originate, disseminate, and increase understanding of public policies based on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace._512a516e-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeLibertyThe principles of liberty and limited government impact nearly every dimension of public policy.Limited GovernmentNonpartisanshipCato is not associated with any political organization or party -- Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or other.UnderstandingCato is a think tank, dedicated to increasing and enhancing the understanding of key public policies and to realistically analyzing their impact -- positive, adverse, and other -- on the tenets Cato is dedicated to protecting -- individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.Public PoliciesAnalysisFree MarketsPeaceCivil SocietyCato is committed to expanding civil society while reducing political society. The differences: In civil society individuals make choices about their lives while in a political society someone else makes or attempts to greatly influence those choices.Individual ChoiceEducation & Child PolicyShift the terms of public debate in favor of the fundamental right of parents and toward a future where government-run schools give way to a dynamic, independent system of schools competing to meet the needs of American children._512a5308-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae1ChildrenParentsSchoolsCato's education research is founded on the principle that parents are best suited to make important decisions regarding the care and education of their children. Our researchers seek to shift the terms of public debate in favor of the fundamental right of parents and toward a future where government-run schools give way to a dynamic, independent system of schools competing to meet the needs of American children._512a5420-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeEnergy & EnvironmentExplain how energy markets work and promote policies that leave questions regarding energy consumption, environmental standards, market structure, and technology to the market rather than government planners._512a554c-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae2Cato's energy and environment studies are devoted to explaining how energy markets work and promoting policies that leave questions regarding energy consumption, environmental standards, market structure, and technology to the market rather than government planners. Cato is committed to protecting the environment without sacrificing economic liberty, and believes that those goals are mutually supporting, not mutually exclusive._512a5664-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeFinance, Banking & Monetary PolicyStudy the workings of the capital markets, the value of free flows of capital, and the burdens imposed on markets by regulation._512a5786-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae3History has shown that monetary stability -- money growth consistent with a stable and predictable value of money -- is an important determinant of economic stability. As capital markets become more sophisticated, they are simultaneously more crucial to the functioning of a complex economy and more difficult for policymakers to understand. Cato's analysts study the workings of the capital markets, the value of free flows of capital, and the burdens imposed on markets by regulation._512a58bc-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeForeign Policy & National SecurityEngage the world, trade freely, and work with other countries on common concerns, but avoid trying to dominate it militarily._512a59f2-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae4Cato's foreign and defense policies are guided by the view that the United States is relatively secure, and so should engage the world, trade freely, and work with other countries on common concerns, but avoid trying to dominate it militarily. We should be an example of democracy and human rights, not their armed vindicator abroad. Although that view is largely absent in Washington, D.C. today, it has a rich history, from George Washington to Cold War realists like George Kennan. Cato scholars aim to restore it. A principled and restrained foreign policy would keep the nation out of most foreign conflicts and be cheaper, more ethical, and less destructive of civil liberties._512a5b1e-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeGovernment & PoliticsBring the ideals of individual liberty, civil society, limited government and citizen legislators back to the forefront of American political life._512a5c68-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae5Citizen LegislatorsToday, government poses many new threats to individual freedom and the virtues needed for its preservation. Unfortunately, career politicians, an ever-expanding government and massive regulatory constraints dominate American political life. Cato's government and politics studies are dedicated to bringing the ideals of individual liberty, civil society, limited government and citizen legislators back to the forefront of American political life._512a5ea2-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeHealth Care & WelfareDemonstrate that consumers are better off when they, and not the government, are in charge of how their money is spent._512a5fd8-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae6ConsumersCato's entitlement research demonstrates that consumers are better off when they, and not the government, are in charge of how their money is spent. This applies to health care, Social Security, and other areas where the government currently controls the dispersal of our tax dollars. In particular, Cato has been a longtime advocate of deregulating the health care industry, so that consumers can afford the health care insurance and treatment of their choice, and privatizing Social Security._512a6136-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeInternational Economics & DevelopmentPromote understanding of the benefits of market-liberal policy solutions to combat some of the most pressing problems faced by developing nations._512a626c-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae7Developing NationsCato seeks to promote a better understanding around the world of the benefits of market-liberal policy solutions to combat some of the most pressing problems faced by developing nations. In particular, Cato's research seeks to advance policies that protect human rights, extend the range of personal choice, and support the central role of economic freedom in ending world poverty. Cato scholars also recognize that open markets mean wider choices and lower prices for businesses and consumers, as well as more vigorous competition that encourages greater productivity.Human RightsProtect human rights_512a63a2-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae7.1Personal ChoiceExtend the range of personal choice_512a651e-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae7.2Freedom & PovertySupport the central role of economic freedom in ending world poverty_512a662c-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae7.3Law & Civil LibertiesAddress constitutional and legal issues_512a673a-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae8Constitutional ScholarsThe JudiciaryCato's constitutional scholars address a wide range of constitutional and legal issues -- from federalism to economic liberty, property rights, civil rights, criminal law and procedure, asset forfeiture, and term limits, to name just a few. Cato expects the judiciary to be the "bulwark" of our liberties, as James Madison put it, neither making up nor ignoring the law but interpreting and applying it through the natural rights tradition we inherited from the founding generation._512a6870-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aePolitical PhilosphyCombine an appreciation for entrepreneurship, the market process, and lower taxes with strict respect for civil liberties and skepticism about the benefits of both the welfare state and foreign military adventurism._512a697e-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae9The Jeffersonian philosophy that animates Cato's work has increasingly come to be called "libertarianism" or "market liberalism." Rooted in the traditional American principles of individual liberty and limited government, it combines an appreciation for entrepreneurship, the market process, and lower taxes with strict respect for civil liberties and skepticism about the benefits of both the welfare state and foreign military adventurism._512a6aa0-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeRegulatory StudiesRely on the incentive forces of private property rights to create competitive markets and to provide consumer information and protection._512a6c26-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae10ConsumersProperty OwnersToday, there is no greater impediment to American prosperity than the immense body of regulations chronicled in the Federal Register, and academic analysis has documented the economic inefficiencies engendered by the regulatory state. Cato's regulatory studies set forth a market-oriented vision of "regulatory rollback" that relies on the incentive forces of private property rights to create competitive markets and to provide consumer information and protection._512a6d48-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeTax & Budget PolicyExamine federal, state, and local spending and tax issues_512a6e6a-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae11Cato's economic research examines federal, state, and local spending and tax issues from a limited government perspective. Specifically, Cato’s economic research explores the benefits of lower taxes, a significantly reduced federal budget, and less government involvement in market processes.TaxesExplore the benefits of lower taxes_512a6fa0-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae11.1Federal BudgetExplore the benefits of a significantly reduced federal budget_512a70c2-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae11.2Market ProcessesExplore the benefits of less government involvement in market processes_512a71e4-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae11.3Telecom, Internet & Information PolicyAdvance a vision of free minds and free markets within the information policy, information technology, and telecommunications sectors of the American economy._512a732e-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae12Cato's research on telecommunications and information policy advances a vision of free minds and free markets within the information policy, information technology, and telecommunications sectors of the American economy. Cato scholars work to address the many contentious public policy concerns and debates surrounding these important sectors, including privacy, identification, data security and the information economy; regulation of traditional telecommunications, Internet network management, and electromagnetic spectrum; and intellectual property issues such as copyrights and patents._512a745a-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05aeTrade & ImmigrationPursue policies that expand the freedom of Americans to participate in global markets._512a759a-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae13American WorkersAmerican HouseholdsCongressBy any reasonable measure, Americans are better off now than during comparable periods in the past, and expanding engagement in the global economy has played an important role in the ongoing, upward trend in American employment and living standards. To promote further progress for American workers and households, Congress and the administration should pursue policies that expand the freedom of Americans to participate in global markets._512a76ee-688f-11e4-9f67-7a1f5f6b05ae2014-11-09http://www.cato.org/missionOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net