Political Science: Political Parties 
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Event: Libertarianism vs. Conservatism
Join us for a lively debate among interns from the Cato Institute and the Heritage Foundation on July 21st. The event will be held in the evening, at 6:30p.m., to allow maximum attendance and will address issues ranging from immigration to marriage, foreign policy to post 9/11 civil liberties, drugs to the role of virtue in society, and even more. The debate promises to offer an excellent juxtaposition of the two philosophies and instigate excellent dialogue during the reception. Please register here to join us.
What YAF’s Expulsion of Ron Paul Says about the Conservative Movement
There has been a lot of buzz about Ron Paul recently being kicked off the Young Americans for Freedom's national advisory board. Chris Preble, Cato's director of foreign policy studies, explains what that move says about the conservative movement. Despite the motivations behind why YAF may have given Ron Paul the boot, Preble notes that such an event highlights the split between so-called conservatives, as many move toward a more limited, constitutionally and fiscally restrained government of strategic prudence and away from a more neo-conservative persuasion.
What Republicans Can & Can't Do
Michael Tanner, a senior fellow and health care reform specialist at the Cato Institute, lays out what Republicans can and can't do regarding the healthcare bill that congressional Democrats forced to passage this past spring. More than reveling in their symbolic victory, Republicans need to work around the barriers erected by Democrats, the president, or legal procedure. Forcing Dems to answer specific questions on-the-record removes deniability and encourages accountability. Tanner notes that complete repeal is quite unlikely before 2012, but Republicans can responsibly represent voters' discontent by beginning "the step-by-step dismantling of ObamaCare," adding free-market reforms or defunding it entirely. A lot has changed now that the “power of the purse” has changed hands.
Ask the Expert: Is Cato Conservative, Liberal, or Radical?
Jason Kuznicki, a Cato Research Fellow and Managing Editor of Cato Unbound, explores the ideological underpinnings of the Cato Institute. Answering whether Cato subscribes to the label of "Liberal," "Conservative," "Radical," or something else, Kuznicki explains that it is difficult to confine Cato to any current, mainstream title, particularly when considering the historical nuances of such terms. However, he lays out the connections to and differences from each of the labels in question, and clarifies where and why the Cato Institute and its scholars take the positions they do.
The Starfish and the Spider
The Tea Party has lately become the topic of many articles, news stories, and conversations. Cato On Campus hosted an event on the issue last month (video here), and last week the Cato Institute hosted Dick Armey and Matt Kibbe of FreedomWorks to discuss their recent book, ‘Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto,’ and the rise of the Tea Party (video here). Many are commenting on how the Tea Party grew into a national phenomenon. In that vein, the National Journal has an article that documents several aspects of the Party’s playbook and history. One thing the story discovers is that at the foundation of this political movement is, in fact, a business book, titled: The Starfish and the Spider. Check out the article and 2 minute video!
Obama & Jobs: Expect the "Unexpected"
As President Obama initiates a new push on growing the economy, a look at his track record may shed some light on what to expect. Cato scholar Jim Powell explains that the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress have said "jobs, jobs, jobs" but have instead enacted the most progressivist -- and anti-job -- agenda in recent history. Powell documents a litany of offenses Obama has committed against the American economy. If Obama truly wants to focus on jobs, he can make great progress by simply reversing everything he's done so far. But, Powell notes, that would mean he'd have to dump his progressivism, and that is not to be expected.
Why Hollywood Loves Democrats
In a very creative piece reminiscent of F.A. Hayek's critique in 'Intellectuals and Socialism,' former Cato intern Prateik Dalmia writes that Hollywood's love for Democrats can be traced to actors' feelings of guilt that they rose to stardom by doing relatively little to merit it. Dalmia explains that "what Hollywood fails to realize is that markets allocate rewards not based on individual merit but on the value individuals produce for others.” For that reason Hollywood tends to distance themselves from Republicans – and even libertarians – and find a home in Democrat policies. Until Hollywood understands what makes free markets more efficient and, indeed, more fair than other systems of governance, it will continue to support liberal doctrine – and that is no happily-ever-after.
'Mosque' Debate Is a Red Herring
Cato vice president Gene Healy comments that the so-called "9/11 mosque" has nothing to do with this nation's largest (and growing) problem: out of control debt. Nonetheless, politicians on both sides of the aisle have devoted a copious amount of time to the issue. Such political pandering distracts from real, constuctive change in government. "You see," says Healy, "cutting government is hard, and often unpopular." It should, therefore, be no surprize that politicians will want to avoid addressing difficult issues, and rather opt to battle over low-hanging fruit. Establishment politicians want to play average citizens for "suckers," says Healy. "It remains to be seen whether they'll play along."
Event - The Future of American Politics: the Tea Party, Rand Paul, and Young Voters
Tea parties, Rand Paul, limited-government, 10th Amendment, Millennial voters -- these are all topics that have burst forth on the public scene over the past two years. Come find out what they mean for the next election cycle, numerous policy issues, and the future of American politics!
Cato scholar John Samples joins David Weigel (Slate and MSNBC) to discuss these issues at an event hosted by Cato On Campus at the Cato Institute, August 20th, 2010 at 4:00p.m.
Stop the Federal Spending Spree
Cato budget analyst Tad DeHaven calls for action on an issue that, as he notes, has many Americans up in arms. The government has massively increased both spending and the amount of publicly held debt, to levels not seen since the end of WWII. The problem is, DeHaven remarks, that the WWII spending ended with the war but the current spending crisis is due to European-style entitlements, which will only increase over time. DeHaven states that, "at a time when citizens are warning both parties to stop their fiscally profligate ways, Republicans need to do more than just say "no."" Several congressmen have made moves in the right direction, but real leadership is needed to make real change happen.
Advice to the Tea Party
Cato government scholar John Samples, whose book 'The Struggle to Limit Government' was just released, gives 5 points of advice to anyone interested in truly limited the federal government. Samples describes how the current tea party momentum can be leveraged to reach real change by remembering that: 1) Republicans aren't always your friends, 2) Some tea partiers like big government, 3) Democrats aren't always your enemies, 4) Smaller government demands restraint abroad, and 5) Social issues are best left to the states.
Are you a Libertarian?
Many are confused what the term "libertarian" means, but David Boaz and David Kirby find that there may be a greater chance that you're a libertarian than you think. Their research shows that libertarians may be the true swing voters in the U.S., potentially comprising 14 to 23 percent of voters. While libertarians are concerned about social liberties, they currently appear to be more motivated by fiscal issues of exploding deficits and out-of-control government spending. Boaz and Kirby note that, "Libertarians are emerging as a force within U.S. politics," and say that with the current political climate leading up to the 2010 elections, "we could be hearing about a 'libertarian revolution.'"
Boaz and Kirby published a Policy Analysis further detailing their research, found here.
What's a "Libertarian"?
Many consider themselves "fiscally conservative and socially liberal," and find themselves with an identity crisis in the standard two-party political system. David Boaz, Executive VP of the Cato Institute, explains that those people should identify strongly with libertarianism, if only they knew what the term meant. In fact, Boaz cites a recent Gallup poll that shows libertarian sentiment has risen to its highest level in decades. If people actually understood what a Libertarian is, it could dramatically influence the nation's political climate.
Video: What is a Libertarian?
Cato executive VP David Boaz appears on the McCuistion show to discuss what it means to be a libertarian. They talk about the principles of libertarianism that are in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Among many other topics, they also discuss absolute free trade and the conflict between big government, the Federal Reserve and free markets. This 30 minute video provides a solid foundation of Libertarianism, for the avid free-marketer or anyone just curious.
Higgs Takes NYT, Progressives to Task
Robert Higgs, editor of the Independent Review, challenges the leftist sensibilities espoused in a New York Times article, which bemoans the decline of European socialism and decries capitalism and its supposed misdeeds. Not only critiquing the article's biased language, Higgs also provides historical examples to refute its author's claims. He makes the call, "God save us from outrageously overbearing and intolerably impudent, yet tiresomely ignorant and analytically challenged, progressive news media."
Ron Paul Interviewed on Time: Video
Congressman Ron Paul is interviewed in a video segment by Time, addressing issues of his presidential runs, auditing the Fed (the topic of Paul's new book), income taxes, drug policy, the war, and more. Time's Michael Scherer presents questions assembled from viewers across the country. Addressing a question about conspiracy theories, Paul says, "I think there's a conspiracy of bad ideas. I'd like to participate in a conspiracy of some good ideas." Paul also notes that Obama has "quieted down the left" without making some of the real policy changes on which he ran his campaign.
Hillary, Sotomayor to make headlines again in court
August is past, and it's time for political debate and court hearings to resume in Washington. Citizens United v. FEC is one of the first legal issues to be discussed, being argued before the Supreme Court on September 9th. Beyond the case itself lies a issue that the court has already made clear will establish new precedents in both campaign finance and free speech regulation. Mark Sherman, AP, writes that the case "took on greater significance after the justices decided to use the case to consider whether to ease restrictions, established in two earlier decisions now at issue, on how corporations and labor unions may spend money to influence elections." With Hillary, Sotomayor, McCain, and other political celebrities involved, though fall is beginning, Washington may be heating up. Expect to hear more on this issue.
Obama resorts to Big Brother tactics, erects 'straw men'
Timothy Carney, of the Washington Examiner, recently asked Obama officials who the President was referring to as “opponents” in his health reform speeches. Obama claims that those fighting against his health care reforms are “well-financed” and profit from keeping the system as-is, while has steered clear of naming names. No officials would answer Carney's questions. Carney proposes and refutes several possibilities of his own, but is left with a question: Why might the President and his administration be fostering such unsubstantiated claims? He concludes, "For Obama, a nameless enemy is more useful because it allows people to imagine whatever 'well-financed forces' they like as the enemy." He adds, "It's called demagoguery."
Are Libertarians Switching Sidelines... Again?
Recently, David Boaz compiled the analysis of several leading poll indicators into a single op-ed. He notes that the political climate has been fluctuating significantly over the past several years. "Support for “smaller government with fewer services” has risen in the ABC News/Washington Post poll, and independents prefer it by 61 to 35 percent, a margin three times as large as a year ago," says Boaz, speculating on if the social pendulum is swinging back to the Right.
Debunking Congress' "Fantasyland"
From clunkers to cap-and-trade to the Stimulus to Health care, Cato scholar Richard Rahn assesses the mental health of Congress and the Administration's recent initiatives, offers up a diagnosis, and proposes a list of alternatives. He postulates, "These folks are telling us that their new medical system will cover more people, will cost less, give us better care and not add to the budget deficit -- hmmm. Fantasyland!"
Romney would be a great GOP presidential candidate, except for...
In his weekly column, Cato VP Gene Healy writes about the issues that draw the GOP to Romney, and also the things that should turn them away. He says that Romney was seemingly "engineered and grown in a vat for the sole purpose of securing the nation's highest office," but later adds that "Conservatives ought to take a good look at the Romney record and ask themselves whether a man of such flexible convictions is the best they can do." (Cato scholar Michael Cannon also discussed Romney in the National Review, here.)
Americans Want to Have their Cake and Eat it Too
What do cake, jugglers and frogs have in common with the American economy? John Stossel thinks quite a bit, as he links to a Barron's editorial. The article explains that "The party in power believes that Americans can eat their cake and have it, too, just as the other party did when it was in power. (The cake party is always in power.)"
Does Inequality Still Matter?
Cato scholar Will Wilkinson addresses why talk of income inequality has to a great degree disappeared from national discourse. He notes that there are many variables in evaluating income inequality, and that economic crisis complicates the issue. However, he adds that silence on the topic is also due to "the corruption of a political system in which crises are used to pay off the governing party's allies."
Sarah's Swan Song
Cato Vice President Gene Healy, in his weekly column in the Washington Examiner, writes about the tendencies of the Republican party and adds perspective on how that might be changed. "It's one thing to reject liberal elitism. It's another thing to become so consumed with annoying liberals that you cleave to anyone they mock, and make presidential virtues out of shallow policy knowledge and lack of intellectual curiosity."
At Least Some Are Coming Around
By Daniel J. Mitchell: "The class-warfare crowd in Washington wants bigger government and higher tax rates, so it’s a bit shocking to see that a group of Northeastern Democrats are slashing tax rates. Yet that is exactly what Maine’s politicians are doing. The Governor even makes the common-sense observation (that so far has escaped President Obama’s attention) that there won’t be any jobs without investors and entrepreneurs."
Time to Downsize the Imperial Vice-Presidency
Cato Vice President Gene Healy considers the evolution of the Vice President's powers from the legislative authority as Constitutionally prescribed to the wide latitude on executive matters given to VP's today, arguing for a return to the limited authority intended by America's founders.
Of Course It Was Torture
Cato Vice President, Gene Healy, recently published an article in the DC Examiner in which he writes: "Conservative legal analyst David Rivkin, one of Bush's most reliable defenders, insists that 'any fair-minded observer' would conclude that the documents prove that 'the Bush administration did not torture.' But it's hard to understand how anyone could call what the administration did by any other name."
In Defense of Distrust of Government
Cato Vice President Gene Healy writes: "Declining trust in government is a good thing, something that Americans of every political stripe ought to celebrate."
Obama and Presidential Power: Change or Continuity?
What: Policy Forum Where: Cato Institute Description: Featuring Louis Fisher, Specialist on the Constitution, Law Library of Congress; and Jeffrey Rosen, Professor, The George Washington University School of Law. Moderated by Gene Healy, Vice President, Cato Institute.
Ask the Expert: Michael Tanner on the 2000 US Presidential Election
Michael Tanner, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, reflects on the 2000 US Presidential Election, arguing that it did not create division, but rather reflected a long-standing division in the US as a result of moral and cultural debates that had been raging in the US for decades beforehand.
Cato Unbound on Partisanship
Check out this month's Cato Unbound, which features Nancy Rosenblum, Chair of the Department of Government at Harvard University, arguing for partisanship in government. Brink Lindsey, Henry Farrell, and James Fishkin will all be responding over the next few weeks.
The Road Ahead
The Obama administration comes into office with an overwhelming slate of challenges. From the economy to global warming, from the energy debate to US foreign policy, the new administration will have a host of important issues to deal with immediately after taking power. Check out this collection of studies, op-eds, podcasts, and publications by Cato's scholars on the policy decisions ahead.
Reason.TV Interviews Sallie James
"On December 19, Reason.tv's Nick Gillespie and Michael C. Moynihan sat down with Australian-born Cato Institute trade policy analyst Sallie James and memoirist and former Reason magazine staffer Sam MacDonald, whose new book is The Urban Hermit, a slacker update of sorts of Ben Franklin's Autobiography."
Nanny State Makes Poor Babysitter for Americans
Radley Balko, policy analyst for the Cato Institute, writes, "Is the "coarsening" of American culture really having all of the ill social effects conservatives say it is? The data overwhelmingly suggests not. Nearly every social indicator is trending in a direction we ought to find comforting."