Cato’s scholars seek to advance policies and support institutions in developing and developed countries that protect human rights and extend the range of personal choice. In particular, Cato research explores the central role that freedom in its various dimensions—economic, civil, and personal—plays in human progress and in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, including global poverty.
Global Freedom
2020 Human Freedom Index
United States Ranks 17th in Sixth Annual Human Freedom Index
The United States ranks 17th in the sixth annual Human Freedom Index (HFI), the most comprehensive measure of freedom ever created for a large number of countries around the globe. The U.S.‘s overall freedom score decreased from the previous year of 2017, from 8.55 to 8.44 on a ten point scale.
Featured Content
Hong Kong Wants a Rehearing Under Biden
The lights of liberty in Hong Kong are going out, perhaps for a long time.
Neo‐Malthusianism and Coercive Population Control in China and India: Overpopulation Concerns Often Result in Coercion
Open: The Story of Human Progress
Despite the backlash against openness in much of the world, Johan Norberg says it’s a source of strength. His new book is Open: The Story of Human Progress.
Saving China’s Uighurs: Can Washington Do the Impossible?
Unfortunately America’s desire to redress injustice far outstrips our ability to do so.
Political Dynasties, Term Limits, and Female Political Empowerment: Evidence from the Philippines
The second half of the 20th century saw women break gender roles and stereotypes in all spheres of life. Despite such dramatic shifts, women are still behind in leadership positions (particularly in politics) in both developed and developing countries.
How Property and Civil Rights Help Forest Tribes Modernize and Prosper: Lessons from India
Featured Book
Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know
Think the world is getting worse? You’re wrong: the world is, for the most part, not getting worse. But 58 percent of folks in 17 countries that were surveyed in 2016 thought the world is either getting worse or staying the same rather than getting better. The uncontroversial data on major global trends in this book will persuade you that this dark view of the prospects for humanity and the natural world is, in large part, badly mistaken.