Yet society stands at a crossroads. One path leads toward an ever-expanding state—marked by political tribalism, centralized control, and economic stagnation. More and more aspects of American life are dictated from Washington, subject to the whims of bureaucratic overreach and partisan entrenchment.
The other path—the one Cato envisions and fights for every day—is one of decentralization, self-determination, and the enduring resilience of free individuals and civil society. This is a path where liberty is preserved against the encroachments of the state, economic dynamism flourishes, and human progress accelerates, unimpeded by the heavy hand of government.
Periods of uncertainty and crisis have always been moments of opportunity—times when bold ideas can reshape the future. Now is such a time. We must seize this opportunity to accelerate the movement for liberty, ensuring that our society chooses the path of freedom over control, of progress over stagnation.
To that end, the Cato Institute has launched the Vision for Liberty campaign—a strategic initiative to expand the reach of our ideas, fortify our networks of influence, and engage new audiences in new ways. Through targeted investments in policy resources, outreach, marketing, technology and innovation, and education, this campaign will drive impact where it matters most—on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, across digital plat-forms, and in the classrooms where the next generation of leaders is formed.
As we approach Cato’s 50th anniversary in 2027, our vision for the next 50 years is clear: to ensure that the principles of liberty remain at the forefront of policy debates and that the world we leave to future generations is freer, more prosperous, and more just.
