Letter from the President, Peter Goettler

We weren’t his first stop. And by the time he arrived, he told us he understood what was distinct about Cato—particularly after hearing others talk about the Institute. “You all are the rock in the stream. Your beliefs, work, and mission are anchored in a philosophy, and the shifting currents of politics don’t move you.”

I feel he hit the nail on the head, for this is the way we at Cato and our Partners view the organization. It’s gratifying when this is recognized by those outside our community as well.

As many of you know, two years ago our board endorsed a Statement of Principles summarizing the nonnegotiable values of Cato. The Statement was unveiled in our 2023 annual report. And our 2024 annual report, published earlier this year, showed how these principles and the framework they represent animate all of the work we do.

Recently, I heard a colleague refer to the Statement as “our new principles.” I corrected him. We may have enumerated these principles only recently in the Statement. But they are the same principles that have guided Cato since its founding nearly 50 years ago. The Statement is new. The principles are not.

Since the Statement includes recognition of the moral worth and dignity of all individuals, a corollary highlights how we intend to interact with the world: “We seek to engage constructively with anyone across the full range of philosophical, ideological, and political viewpoints.… We welcome and respect alternative viewpoints, while insisting on respectful and civil discourse with and from others.”

It’s critical that Cato remain a clear example of both civility and adherence to principle. Because these are lacking in America today, and the consequences are at once clear and concerning.

Unmoored to principle, many citizens or political leaders now support exercises of power they previously condemned. Motivated by politics, others are only now—and therefore not credibly—standing up for ideas or values they have long failed to defend. And nearly all allow the ends to justify any means when the result is a policy outcome they support. Yes, unmoored to principle we increasingly find ourselves similarly unmoored to the rule of law, and to the constitutional anchors that are essential to protecting liberty for our children.

Meanwhile, a lack of civility and mutual respect in our society is fueling angry polarization and tribalism, and these serve to blind so many to the dangers of the unprincipled path we’re traveling.

Cato is determined to persevere on both fronts.

Remaining principled has been Cato’s hard-earned reputation. Not long ago, the leader of another libertarian institution told me, “From the outside, Cato has never been more libertarian.” I hope it means we are upholding the Institute’s legacy.

And, as I recently exhorted our staff, “Cato must, and will, remain a model of civility and mutual respect in these challenging times.” I was so grateful for the feedback we just received from a high school administrator who actively supports and participates in our Sphere Education Initiatives: “We in education are looking to you at Sphere. We see you as an island of sanity in an ocean of chaos.”

As George Will has said, the majority of Americans are not, in fact, angry. Rather, most Americans are exhausted and embarrassed. Those of us who are not angry must do our utmost to set a better tone for the rest of the country. To the extent Cato is successful in this, it is a tribute above all to our entire community—and the support and encouragement we receive from each of you.

Peter Goettler
President and CEO