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About the Seminar | Schedule | Registration
Cato University is the Cato Institute's premier educational event of the year. This annual program brings together outstanding faculty and participants from across the country and, often, from around the globe – business and professional people, retirees, small business owners, high school and college students, employees of large and small firms and many others who share a commitment to liberty and learning.
In addition, Cato University has become for many an opportunity to create a family legacy of liberty – with parents participating with children; grandparents sharing the experience with grandchildren; and, all three generations joining together.
THE SETTING
We will be gathering at the magnificent Rancho Bernardo Inn, which is just a few miles north of San Diego. Its world-class facilities, resort amenities, spa, and immediate access to the best of San Diego make this special learning experience a tremendous vacation.
PRICE
$975 – covers all meals, lectures, receptions, and books, but not the cost of overnight lodging. Since the past two Cato University programs have been sell-outs at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, we recommend you enroll in this year's program as soon as possible.
THE PROGRAM – Economic Crisis, War, and the Rise of the State
Between economic chaos and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the powerful drive to solve problems through government intervention is creating a dangerous new status quo. During a crisis – and now with the multiple challenges of global economic calamity roaring alongside two wars and international terrorism – government grows exponentially. Massive overreaching by government was one of chief causes of these crises, so we are witnessing a disease posing as the cure. And while government may recede after the immediate crisis recedes, it rarely returns to its original size – thus the cautionary adage there is nothing more permanent than a temporary solution, and nothing closer to immortality than a government program.
But – a crisis also presents opportunities to change the status quo, to reduce the size of government. Cato University 2009 offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the past, present, and future of freedom: how the state has expanded during times of crises; the threats to liberty, privacy, and independence, as the rush for government-imposed solutions (and, hence, power) increases in pace; and, what can be done to restrain – or reverse – its growth. This year, Cato University has again assembled a distinguished group of scholars and teachers:
- Professor Robert Higgs, Editor of The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy and the author of numerous acclaimed books, including Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government.
- Professor Robert McDonald, department of history, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He has published articles in a wide range of academic journals of history, and has a national reputation as a scholar of Thomas Jefferson and the American Founding period.
- Dan Mitchell, senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a top national expert on tax reform and supply-side tax policy. His latest book is Global Tax Revolution: The Rise of Tax Competition and the Battle to Defend It.
- Professor Marcus Cole, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, and a National Fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace. His scholarly and research interests range from classical liberal political theory to natural law and the history of commercial law.
- Dr. Veronique de Rugy, senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center. A former policy analyst at the Cato Institute, she is coauthor of Action ou Taxation, published in Switzerland, and serves on the board of directors of the Center for Freedom and Prosperity.
- David Boaz, executive vice president of the Cato Institute; author of The Politics of Freedom: Taking on the Left, the Right, and Threats to our Liberties; Libertarianism: A Primer; and editor of The Libertarians Reader and the Cato Handbook for Policymakers.
- Dr. Tom G. Palmer, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, director of Cato University, and author of the forthcoming book Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History and Practice.
- Prof. Tibor Machan, adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute and professor at the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University He is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Pacific Research Foundation. He is widely published and is the author of numerous books and articles on natural rights, political philosophy, business ethics, and libertarianism.
- Randal O'Toole, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, focusing on urban growth, public land, and transportation issues. His latest book is The Best-Laid Plans: How Government Planning Harms the Quality of Your Life, Your Pocketbook, and Your Future.
If you are unable to attend Cato University but would like to contribute to the Bastiat Scholarship Program to support student attendance – click here. SPECIAL NOTE: Please indicate that you would like your donation directed to the Cato University scholarship program in the optional Comments box at the end of the contribution form. A donation opportunity is also provided in the Cato University registration form.
And – are you interested in another type of learning experience – own your own, at your own pace? We are delighted to now have the Cato University Home Study Course available. The 12 modules of this program are available separately or together – as downloads or on CD.
Spread The Word
We've created a special banner (below) for this year's Cato University – and hope you'll take an opportunity to use the image to spread the word about this year's program to friends, blogs, other Web sites, and more. The embed code, linking to the main Cato University web page you are on now, is provided for your convenience....so, just click and share!
About the Seminar | Schedule | Registration
