Cato Headlines

The Myth of the Compact City

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:07:00 -0600

The Obama administration has endorsed proposals to direct metropolitan areas to become more "compact" in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Such a compact development policy calls for increasing urban population densities, housing more people in multi-family and mixed-use developments, investing more in mass transit and less in infrastructure for personal transportation, and concentrating jobs in selected areas. In a new paper, Cato scholar Randal O'Toole argues that compact-development policies represent a huge intrusion on private property rights, personal freedom, and mobility.

"The Myth of the Compact City: Why Compact Development Is Not the Way to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions," by Randal O'Toole

Why America Leads the World in Medical Innovation

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:06:00 -0600

Studies that compare America's health care sector to other countries typically omit any measure of innovation. A new study by Glen Whitman and Raymond Raad shows that America far and away leads the world in medical innovation. Since American innovations improve health world-wide, that is a virtue of the American system that is not reflected in comparative life-expectancy and mortality statistics. The authors argue that innovation should play a central role in the health care debate, and that the legislation before Congress could hinder the ability of creative individuals to innovate.

"Bending the Productivity Curve: Why America Leads the World in Medical Innovation," by Glen Whitman and Raymond Raad

The New Threats to Free Speech

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:26:00 -0600

Liberal governments have traditionally relied on a particular bargain, in which freedom of expression is maintained for all, and in which emotional satisfaction is a private pursuit, not a public guarantee. Recent challenges to this bargain rely on a common assumption, namely that governments should provide emotional well-being to their citizens, even at the expense of free expression. In a new paper, Cato scholar Jason Kuznicki argues that restrictions on free expression do not make societies happier or more tolerant, but instead make them more fractious and censorious.

"Attack of the Utility Monsters: The New Threats to Free Speech," by Jason Kuznicki

Media Content Regulation in the 21st Century

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:27:00 -0600

New rules adopted or proposed by the FCC suggest that the agency may be poised to enforce the most intensive government oversight of broadcast programming in decades—perhaps even in the history of the agency. In a new study, author Robert Corn-Revere defines the parameters of the new debate: "Just as we have entered a new age of media abundance, proponents of government regulation are now pushing new theories based on the paradoxical notion that the promise of the First Amendment—that 'Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press'—cannot be realized without affirmative government oversight for all media."

"Fairness 2.0: Media Content Regulation in the 21st Century," by Robert Corn-Revere

ObamaCare: A Bad Deal for Young Adults

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:02:00 -0600

President Obama won the presidency with 66 percent of the vote among 18-to-29 year-olds. That's a larger share than any presidential candidate has won in decades. Yet according to a new study by Cato scholar Aaron Yelowitz, the cost of President Obama's health care plan would fall inordinately upon younger Americans, meaning they are in essence being asked to subsidize the care of their elders.

"ObamaCare: A Bad Deal for Young Adults," by Aaron Yelowitz
Healthcare.Cato.org

Remembering the Fall of the Wall

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:52:00 -0600

The Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago, marking the collapse of Soviet communism. The anniversary is an appropriate time for stocktaking and for seeking to answer a number of questions associated with this historic event, its aftermath, and its continued influence.

"Reflections on Communism Twenty Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall," by Paul Hollander
"Socialism Kills: The Human Cost of Delayed Economic Reform in India," by Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar
Vladimir Bukovsky discusses the legacy of the Soviet Union
"Subverting Socialism," Cato 2001 Annual Report
"Why Socialism Collapsed in Eastern Europe," by Tom G. Palmer
"Freedom and Prosperity in Central and Eastern Europe: 20 Years after the Collapse of Communism," Cato Conference

Will Federal Health Legislation Cause the Deficit to Soar?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:50:00 -0600

According to the CBO, both the Senate Finance Committee's health reform plan, and the House version of health legislation, would reduce 10-year deficits. Supporters of these health care proposals thus argue that the plans are fiscally responsible. In a new paper, Cato scholar Daniel J. Mitchell explains that promises of lower deficits are a triumph of hope over experience. "Government-run health care will cost more than the politicians are telling us," says Mitchell.

"Will Federal Health Legislation Cause the Deficit to Soar?," by Daniel J. Mitchell

Reflections on Communism Twenty Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:13:00 -0600

Twenty years ago the Berlin Wall fell, marking the collapse of Soviet communism. The anniversary is an appropriate time for stocktaking and for seeking to answer a number of questions associated with this historic event, its aftermath, and its continued influence. In a new paper, author Paul Hollander shows how the failure of the communist system was not merely economic and political; it was a moral failure as well.

"Reflections on Communism Twenty Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall," by Paul Hollander
"Murderous Idealism," by Paul Hollander, Washington Post

New Cato Journal Tackles Race Relations, Global Warming, and Trade Protectionism

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:20:00 -0500

In the most recent issue of Cato Journal, Cato scholar Jason Kuznicki reviews evidence from economic and legal history to argue that not only did U.S. governments incentivize and even mandate racial discrimination, but these acts tended to reinforce racial mistrust as time went by. Also in this issue, Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. Knappenberger catalogue scientific shortcomings in the EPA's greenhouse gases endangerment finding, and Miaojie Yu asks, "Does a party's tariff platform affect its electoral outcome?".

Fall 2009 Issue of Cato Journal

Latest Nuclear Proliferation Update Looks at Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:09:00 -0500

In the most recent issue of the Cato Institute's Nuclear Proliferation Update, Cato scholar Justin Logan examines recent developments in the diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran's nuclear progress and situates such efforts in the context of U.S. grand strategy. Also in the issue, Ted Galen Carpenter examines the development of Venezuela's nuclear program.

Yes, Mr. President: A Free Market Can Fix Health Care

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:27:00 -0500

In March 2009, President Barack Obama said, "If there is a way of getting this done where we're driving down costs and people are getting health insurance at an affordable rate, and have choice of doctor, have flexibility in terms of their plans, and we could do that entirely through the market, I'd be happy to do it that way." In a new paper, Cato scholar Michael F. Cannon explains how letting workers control their health care dollars and tearing down regulatory barriers to competition would control costs, expand choice, improve health care quality, and make health coverage more secure.

"Yes, Mr. President: A Free Market Can Fix Health Care," by Michael F. Cannon
Healthcare.Cato.org

The Human Cost of Delayed Economic Reform in India

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:26:00 -0500

As the world approaches the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism, it is worth investigating the costs borne by countries like India that did not become communist but drew heavily on the Soviet model. What would the impact on social indicators have been had India commenced economic reform one decade earlier, and enjoyed correspondingly faster economic growth and improvements in human development indicators? In a new study, Cato scholar Swaminathan Aiyar finds that with earlier reform, 14.5 million more children would have survived, 261 million more Indians would have become literate, and 109 million more people would have risen above the poverty line.

"Socialism Kills: The Human Cost of Delayed Economic Reform in India," by Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar

Somalia, Redux: A More Hands-Off Approach

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:42:00 -0500

The two-decade-old conflict in Somalia has entered a new phase, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the United States. To best encourage peace in the devastated country, Washington needs a new strategy that takes into account hard-learned lessons from multiple failed U.S. interventions. In a new study, author David Axe argues that Washington should err on the side of nonintervention, and recommends, "The Obama administration should work to build a regional framework for reconciliation, the rule of law, and economic development that acknowledges the unique risks of intervention in East Africa."

"Somalia, Redux: A More Hands-Off Approach," by David Axe

Why Sustainability Standards for Biofuel Production Make Little Economic Sense

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:15:00 -0500

The U.S. sustainability standard currently requires ethanol production to emit at least 20% less CO₂ than the gasoline it is assumed to replace. In a new study, authors Harry de Gorter and David R. Just argue that sustainability standards for ethanol are, by definition, illogical and ineffective. Moreover, say de Gorter and Just, those standards divert attention from the contradictions and inefficiencies of ethanol import tariffs, tax credits, mandates, and subsidies, all of which exist whether ethanol is sustainable or not.

"Why Sustainability Standards for Biofuel Production Make Little Economic Sense," by Harry de Gorter and David R. Just

Would a Stricter Fed Policy and Financial Regulation Have Averted the Financial Crisis?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:34:00 -0500

Many commentators have argued that if the Federal Reserve had followed a stricter monetary policy earlier this decade when the housing bubble was forming, and if Congress had not deregulated banking but had imposed tighter financial standards, the housing boom and bust—and the subsequent financial crisis and recession—would have been averted. In a new study, Cato scholars Jagadeesh Gokhale and Peter Van Doren investigate those claims and dispute them.

"Would a Stricter Fed Policy and Financial Regulation Have Averted the Financial Crisis?," by Jagadeesh Gokhale and Peter Van Doren

Cato Launches DownsizingGovernment.org

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:08:00 -0500

The Cato Institute on Monday announced the launch of DownsizingGovernment.org, a new website aimed at providing policymakers, media and the public with comprehensive data on federal spending. The site spotlights the constant and extensive waste of taxpayer dollars by executive agencies. "Some people have lofty visions about how government spending can help society," says Cato scholar Chris Edwards. "But the essays on this website put aside such bedtime stories about how government programs are supposed to work, and instead focus on how they actually work in the real world."

DownsizingGovernment.org

How Urban Planners Caused the Housing Bubble

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:32:00 -0500

Everyone agrees that the recent financial crisis started with the deflation of the housing bubble. But what caused the bubble? In a new study, Cato scholar Randal O'Toole says that a necessary condition for the formation of housing bubbles was supply shortages, most of which resulted from urban planners engaged in growth-management planning. O'Toole argues, "States that use some form of growth management should repeal laws that mandate or allow such planning, and other states and urban areas should avoid passing such laws or implementing such plans; otherwise, the next housing bubble could be even more devastating than this one."

"How Urban Planners Caused the Housing Bubble," by Randal O'Toole

New Regulation Looks at Derivatives, Alcohol Taxes, and Fuel Economy Rules

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:18:00 -0500

In the most recent issue of Regulation Magazine, Lynn A. Stout asks whether derivatives should be considered unenforceable gambling contracts. Jean Helwege, Peter Wallison, and Craig Pirrong comment on Stout's analysis. Also in this issue, Bruce Yandle shows how national capitalism threatens the U.S. auto industry, and Ian W.H. Parry tackles the question, "Are current alcohol tax levels about right, or should they be increased?"

Fall 2009 Issue of Regulation

Why Public Sector Unionism Is a Bad Deal for Taxpayers and Representative Government

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:42:00 -0500

Rates of unionization in the United States today are at historic lows and are unlikely to rebound. However, there is one sector in which organized labor is growing in strength: government. In a new study, authors Don Bellante, David Denholm and Ivan G. Osorio show how the unionization of government employees creates a powerful, permanent constituency for bigger government, and make some recommendations as to how to check this constituency's growing power.

"Vallejo Con Dios: Why Public Sector Unionism Is a Bad Deal for Taxpayers and Representative Government," by Don Bellante, David Denholm and Ivan G. Osorio

Proposals for the Next Transportation Reauthorization

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:05:00 -0500

Since the completion of the Interstate Highway System in the early 1990s, the mission of the Department of Transportation has become increasingly murky. In a new study, Cato scholar Randal O'Toole suggests that it is a good time to abolish the department and devolve federal transportation programs to the states. As a second-best solution, O'Toole also offers eight proposals which aim to improve the efficiency of surface transportation programs without foreclosing options to implement more dramatic reforms when the opportunity arises.

"Getting What You Paid For — Paying For What You Get: Proposals for the Next Transportation Reauthorization," by Randal O'Toole