[![Cato 2022 Handbook for Policymakers cover image](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/2022-11/2022_handbook_cover_final.png?itok=9gFib5q4)](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2023-03/cato-handbook-9th-edition.pdf) # Cato Handbook For Policymakers, 9th Edition (2022) [ Download PDF ](https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2023-03/cato-handbook-9th-edition.pdf) ## 9th Edition Now in its ninth edition, the *Cato Handbook for Policymakers* sets the standard in Washington for reducing the power of the federal government and expanding freedom. The 77 chapters—each beginning with a list of major policy recommendations—offer issue-by-issue blueprints for promoting individual liberty, free markets, and peace. Providing both **in-depth analysis** and **concrete recommendations**, Cato’s *Handbook* is an invaluable resource for policymakers and anyone else interested in securing liberty and limiting government. --- A soup-to-nuts agenda to reduce spending, kill programs, terminate whole agencies and dramatically restrict the power of the federal government. *–The Washington Post* --- Introduction Introduction ##### [Introduction ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/introduction) By [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) Defending Our Constitutional Republic Defending Our Constitutional Republic ##### [Limited Government and the Rule of Law ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/limited-government-rule-law) By [Tom G. Palmer](https://www.cato.org/people/tom-g-palmer) ##### [Congress, the Courts, and the Constitution ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/congress-courts-constitution) By [Roger Pilon](https://www.cato.org/people/roger-pilon) ##### [Election Law ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/election-law) By [Walter Olson](https://www.cato.org/people/walter-olson) ##### [Redistricting ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/redistricting) By [Walter Olson](https://www.cato.org/people/walter-olson) ##### [Government Transparency ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/government-transparency) By [Patrick G. Eddington](https://www.cato.org/people/patrick-g-eddington) ##### [Campaign Finance ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/campaign-finance-fixing-overregulated-marketplace-ideas) By [John Samples](https://www.cato.org/people/john-samples) and [Trevor Burrus](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus) Reining in a Runaway Executive Reining in a Runaway Executive ##### [Toward a Congressional Resurgence ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/toward-congressional-resurgence) By [Gene Healy](https://www.cato.org/people/gene-healy) and [William Yeatman](https://www.cato.org/people/william-yeatman) ##### [Emergency Powers ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/emergency-powers-reform) By [Gene Healy](https://www.cato.org/people/gene-healy) ##### [Restoring Democratic Accountability in the Executive Branch ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/restoring-democratic-accountability-executive-branch) By [Thomas A. Berry](https://www.cato.org/people/thomas-berry) ##### [Reining in the Administrative State ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/reining-administrative-state) By [William Yeatman](https://www.cato.org/people/william-yeatman) Law and Liberty Law and Liberty ##### [Restoring the Jury Trial ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/restoring-jury-trial) By [Clark Neily](https://www.cato.org/people/clark-neily), [Jay Schweikert](https://www.cato.org/people/jay-schweikert), and [James Craven](https://www.cato.org/people/james-craven) ##### [Technology and Law Enforcement ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/technology-law-enforcement) By [Matthew Feeney](https://www.cato.org/people/matthew-feeney) ##### [The War on Drugs ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/war-drugs) By [Trevor Burrus](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus) ##### [Property Rights and the Constitution ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/property-rights-constitution) By [Roger Pilon](https://www.cato.org/people/roger-pilon) ##### [Civil Forfeiture Reform ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/civil-asset-forfeiture-reform) By [Roger Pilon](https://www.cato.org/people/roger-pilon) and [Trevor Burrus](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus) ##### [Restoring the Right to Keep and Bear Arms ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/restoring-right-keep-bear-arms) By [Trevor Burrus](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus) and [David B. Kopel](https://www.cato.org/people/david-kopel) ##### [Stopping Police Militarization ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/stopping-police-militarization) By [Trevor Burrus](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus) ##### [Accountability for Government Agents ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/accountability-government-agents) By [Clark Neily](https://www.cato.org/people/clark-neily), [Jay Schweikert](https://www.cato.org/people/jay-schweikert), and [James Craven](https://www.cato.org/people/james-craven) ##### [Reforming Surveillance Authorities ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/reforming-surveillance-authorities) By [Julian Sanchez](https://www.cato.org/people/julian-sanchez) ##### [Online Speech and Social Media ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/online-speech-social-media) By [Will Duffield](https://www.cato.org/people/will-duffield) Defense and Foreign Policy Defense and Foreign Policy ##### [Restoring Realism and Restraint in U.S. Foreign Policy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/restoring-realism-restraint-us-foreign-policy) By [Justin Logan](https://www.cato.org/people/justin-logan) ##### [The Military Budget and Force Posture ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/military-budget-force-posture) By [Eric Gomez](https://www.cato.org/people/eric-gomez) ##### [East Asian Security ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/east-asian-security) By [Eric Gomez](https://www.cato.org/people/eric-gomez) and [Doug Bandow](https://www.cato.org/people/doug-bandow) ##### [Relations with China ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/relations-china) By [Ted Galen Carpenter](https://www.cato.org/people/ted-galen-carpenter) ##### [U.S. Policy toward Afghanistan ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/us-policy-toward-afghanistan) By [Sahar Khan](https://www.cato.org/people/sahar-khan) ##### [Middle East Security ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/middle-east-security) By [Justin Logan](https://www.cato.org/people/justin-logan) ##### [European Security ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/european-security) By [Justin Logan](https://www.cato.org/people/justin-logan) ##### [Relations with Russia ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/relations-russia) By [Justin Logan](https://www.cato.org/people/justin-logan) ##### [U.S. Policy toward Latin America ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/us-policy-toward-latin-america) By [Daniel Raisbeck](https://www.cato.org/people/daniel-raisbeck) ##### [U.S. Policy toward Sub‐​Saharan Africa ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/us-policy-toward-sub-saharan-africa) By [Marian L. Tupy](https://www.cato.org/people/marian-l-tupy) and [Alexander C.R. Hammond](https://www.cato.org/people/alexander-hammond) ##### [Countering Terrorism in the United States ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/countering-terrorism-in-the-united-states) By [John Mueller](https://www.cato.org/people/john-mueller) ##### [Nuclear Proliferation ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/nuclear-proliferation) By [John Mueller](https://www.cato.org/people/john-mueller) ##### [Arms Sales ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/arm-sales) By [Jordan Cohen](https://www.cato.org/people/jordan-cohen) and [A. Trevor Thrall](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-thrall) ##### [The International War on Drugs ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/international-war-drugs) By [Daniel Raisbeck](https://www.cato.org/people/daniel-raisbeck) and [Ian Vásquez](https://www.cato.org/people/ian-vasquez) ##### [International Trade and Investment Policy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/international-trade-investment-policy) By [Scott Lincicome](https://www.cato.org/people/scott-lincicome), [James Bacchus](https://www.cato.org/people/james-bacchus), [Gabriella Beaumont-Smith](https://www.cato.org/people/gabriella-beaumont-smith), [Colin Grabow](https://www.cato.org/people/colin-grabow), [Daniel Griswold](https://www.cato.org/people/daniel-griswold), & [Clark Packard](https://www.cato.org/people/clark-packard) ##### [Foreign Aid and Economic Development ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/foreign-aid-economic-development) By [Ian Vásquez](https://www.cato.org/people/ian-vasquez) Downsizing Government Downsizing Government ##### [Cutting Federal Spending ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/cutting-federal-spending) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [School Choice ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/school-choice) By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) ##### [Department of Education ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/department-of-education) By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) ##### [Pre‑K Education and Childcare ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/pre-k-education-childcare) By [Jason Bedrick](https://www.cato.org/people/jason-bedrick) and [Colleen Hroncich](https://www.cato.org/people/colleen-hroncich) ##### [Higher Education ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/higher-education) By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) ##### [Special Interests and Corporate Welfare ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/special-interests-corporate-welfare) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Infrastructure Investment ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/infrastructure-investment) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Agricultural Policy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/agricultural-policy) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Amtrak ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/amtrak) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [U.S. Postal Service ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/us-postal-service) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Air Traffic Control ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/air-traffic-control) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Cultural Agencies ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/cultural-agencies) By Sheldon L. Richman and [David Boaz](https://www.cato.org/people/david-boaz) Regulation Regulation ##### [Prioritizing Economic Growth ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/prioritizing-economic-growth) By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne) ##### [Regulatory Reform ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/regulatory-reform) By [Thomas A. Firey](https://www.cato.org/people/thomas-firey) ##### [COVID-19: #NeverNeeded Regulations ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/covid-19-neverneeded-regulations) By [Jeffrey A. Singer](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-singer) ##### [Labor and Employment Law ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/labor-employment-law) By [Walter Olson](https://www.cato.org/people/walter-olson) ##### [Big Tech Antitrust ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/big-tech-antitrust) By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne) ##### [Monetary Policy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/monetary-policy) By [George Selgin](https://www.cato.org/people/george-selgin) ##### [Financial Regulation ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/financial-regulation) By [Norbert J. Michel](https://www.cato.org/people/norbert-michel) ##### [Securities Regulation ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/securities-regulation) By [Jennifer J. Schulp](https://www.cato.org/people/jennifer-j-schulp) ##### [Health and Safety Policy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/health-safety-policy) By [Peter Van Doren](https://www.cato.org/people/peter-van-doren) ##### [Environmental Policy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/environmental-policy) By [Peter Van Doren](https://www.cato.org/people/peter-van-doren) ##### [The Minimum Wage ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/minimum-wage) By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne) ##### [Immigration ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/immigration) By [David J. Bier](https://www.cato.org/people/david-bier) and [Alex Nowrasteh](https://www.cato.org/people/alex-nowrasteh) ##### [Housing Affordability ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/housing-affordability) By [Vanessa Brown Calder](https://www.cato.org/people/vanessa-calder) Health Care Health Care ##### [Health Care Regulation ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/health-care-regulation) By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) ##### [Health Insurance Regulation ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/health-insurance-regulation) By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) ##### [The Tax Treatment of Health Care ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/tax-treatment-health-care) By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) ##### [Medicare ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/medicare) By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) ##### [Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/medicaid-childrens-health-insurance-program) By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) ##### [Veterans Benefits ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/veterans-benefits) By [Michael F. Cannon](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-f-cannon) ##### [The Overdose Crisis ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/overdose-crisis) By [Jeffrey A. Singer](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-singer) and [Trevor Burrus](https://www.cato.org/people/trevor-burrus) Fiscal Policy Fiscal Policy ##### [Averting National Bankruptcy ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/averting-national-bankruptcy) By [Jeffrey Miron](https://www.cato.org/people/jeffrey-miron) ##### [Fiscal Rules That Work ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/fiscal-rules-work) By [Ryan Bourne](https://www.cato.org/people/ryan-bourne) ##### [Federal Tax Reform ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/federal-tax-reform) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Global Tax Competition ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/global-tax-competition) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Fiscal Federalism ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/fiscal-federalism) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) Entitlements Entitlements ##### [Social Security ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/social-security) By [Michael D. Tanner](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-d-tanner) Congress’s failure to act is threatening America’s economic stability and promises to bury our children and grandchildren under a mountain of debt. ##### [Earned Income Tax Credit ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/earned-income-tax-credit) By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) ##### [Poverty and Welfare ](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-9th-edition-2022/poverty-welfare) By [Michael D. Tanner](https://www.cato.org/people/michael-d-tanner) ##### Join the Conversation [ #CatoHandbook ](https://x.com/hashtag/CatoHandbook) ##### Contact the Cato Institute Chad Davis Vice President for Government Affairs [cdavis@​cato.​org](mailto:cdavis@cato.org) Lukas Grund Government and External Affairs Associate [lgrund@​cato.​org](mailto:lgrund@cato.org) Christopher Hansford Director of State Relations [chansford@​cato.​org](mailto:chansford@cato.org) Rachel Johnson Government and External Affairs Coordinator [rjohnson@​cato.​org](mailto:rjohnson@cato.org) Zayna Resley State Relations Coordinator [zresley@​cato.​org](mailto:zresley@cato.org) For all other queries, contact [govaffairs@​cato.​org](mailto:govaffairs@cato.org) ##### Purchase the Cato Handbook [ Cato Store ](https://store.cato.org/collections/new-releases/products/cato-handbook-for-policymakers-9th-edition) ##### Latest Issues [![Media Name: cato-handbook-cover-hi-res.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/right-homepage-images/cato-handbook-cover-hi-res.jpg?itok=QyLYZ9ME)](https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policy-makers-8th-edition-2017) [Cato Handbook For Policymakers, 8th Edition (2017)](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policy-makers-8th-edition-2017) [![Media Name: hb111.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/serials/covers/cato-handbook-policymakers/hb111.jpg?itok=ziF46KUq)](https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-7th-edition-2009) [Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009)](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policymakers-7th-edition-2009) [![Media Name: hb109.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/serials/covers/cato-handbook-policymakers/hb109.jpg?itok=_45-v3ls)](https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policy-6th-edition-2005) [Cato Handbook on Policy, 6th Edition (2005)](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-policy-6th-edition-2005) [![Media Name: hb108.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/serial_cover_phone/public/serials/covers/cato-handbook-policymakers/hb108.jpg?itok=4hI7Bzk7)](https://www.cato.org/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-congress-policy-recommendations-108th-congress-2003) [Cato Handbook for Congress: Policy Recommendations for the 108th Congress (2003)](/cato-handbook-policymakers/cato-handbook-congress-policy-recommendations-108th-congress-2003)