Cato Upcoming Events

Federal Drug Policy: Time to Shift Priorities (Capitol Hill Briefing)

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:00:00 CDT

President Obama's new drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, says he wants to banish the idea of a "war on drugs" because the federal government should not be "at war with the people of this country." An important and welcome announcement, to be sure, but what government policies will be actually adjusted, canceled, or reversed? At a minimum, the time is right to reverse the militarization of law enforcement, abolish mandatory minimum sentencing, and stop federal meddling in the state referendum and initiative process. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion regarding new directions for federal drug policy.

Voting Rights—and Wrongs: The Elusive Quest for Racially Fair Elections (Book Forum)

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Purchase at Amazon

The 1965 Voting Rights Act is the crown jewel of American civil rights legislation; its passage marked the death knell of the Jim Crow South. But that was the beginning, not the end, of an important debate on race and representation in American democracy. When is the distribution of political power racially fair? Who counts as a representative of black and Hispanic interests? The Court, the Justice Department, and Congress have collaborated in segregating American politics with race-driven districting to protect black and Hispanic candidates from white competition. Meanwhile, states and counties across the nation have had their methods of election put into federal receivership, in effect. Has the integration of American politics demanded such an extraordinary use of federal power? And does it still today? Author Abigail Thernstrom, whom Shelby Steele has called "simply the best writer and thinker we have on voting rights in America," will discuss the myriad of complex issues that swirl around the interpretation and enforcement of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. No other race-related public policy has done more to shape America's racial landscape—for good and for ill.

Engaging China to Solve the North Korea Problem (Policy Forum)

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:00 CDT

North Korea has been acting in an increasingly provocative manner, threatening nuclear and missile tests, and imprisoning two U.S. reporters captured on the North's border with China. What can be done? War is not an acceptable option, increased sanctions seem unlikely to work, and so far diplomacy has proved ineffective. Does working in closer cooperation with China offer a better option? Beijing has the most clout in Pyongyang, but remains unwilling to use its influence. Could U.S. policymakers persuade China to take a more active role, perhaps even working to oust the murderous regime of Kim Jong-il? What arguments would be most compelling for Beijing and what incentives might Washington offer to win China's cooperation?

This event is made possible through the generosity of The Ploughshares Fund.

What Government-Run Health Care Really Means (Policy Forum)

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Government-run health systems, such as the one in Canada, are pointed to by those on different sides of the issue as examples of what to do or not to do in health reform. What lessons do these systems hold for the United States as it attempts to overhaul its health care system? What policies should Congress steer clear of? Join Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute and co-author of Healthy Competition: What's Holding Back Health Care and How to Free It, and Sally Pipes, president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute and author of Top Ten Myths of American Health Care: A Citizen's Guide, for a discussion. Pipes will recount her firsthand experience with the Canadian health care system, and both panelists will explore what lies ahead for the United States.

Cato University (Conference)

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:00:00 CDT

Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, CA

The Supreme Court: Past and Prologue A Look at 2008 and October 2009 Terms (Conference)

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:30:00 CDT

Cato Institute Policy Perspectives 2009 (City Seminar)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:30:00 CDT

The Drake, 140 East Walton Place, Chicago, IL

Cato Institute Policy Perspectives 2009 (City Seminar)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:30:00 CST

Waldorf=Astoria, 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY

The 27th Annual Monetary Conference: Restoring Global Financial Stability (Conference)

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 CST

22nd Annual Benefactor Summit (Conference)

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:00:00 CST

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

Biennial Dinner: The Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty (Special Event)

Thu, 13 May 2010 18:00:00 CDT

Hilton Washington, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC