Co-blogger Jonathan Adler has posted Charles Koch’s recent statement on the Cato vs. Koch confrontation. I think there are some positive elements in the statement, especially this part: Some have speculated that we would micro-manage the enterprise. Others have suggested we would turn Cato into a partisan Republican organization. These rumors are absolutely false. My […]
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Koch v. Cato — A Statement from Charles Koch [Updated with link to Levy Response]
Charles G. Koch has issued the following statement about the Koch brothers lawsuit to obtain control of the Cato Institute. Here it is in its entirety: Statement by Charles G. Koch Chairman and CEO, Koch Industries, Inc. Regarding the Cato Institute March 8, 2012 In December 1976, when I co-founded and provided the seed money […]
Koch v. Cato — The Views of Former Cato Staffers and Ezra Klein
The commentary on the Koch-Cato continues to multiply. Three recent posts are particularly noteworthy. The first are two former Cato staffers associated with so-called “liberaltarianism,” Brink Lindsey and Will Wilkinson. Brink’s views, in particular, are quite close to my own. In addition, noted progressive blogger Ezra Klein adds his voice to those wondering what the […]
A Few Notes on the Cato-Koch Controversy
I love the Cato Institute. I admire the Kochs and greatly appreciate their contributions to libertarian causes. I have ties to both sides too numerous to bore readers with. So I’m distressed that they are at odds. Here’s my small contribution to the debate: (1) In one sense, the Kochs had no choice but to […]
A Possible Alternative Solution to the Cato vs. Koch Conflict
Many supporters of the Cato Institute in its conflict with the Kochs claim that the latter are trying to transform Cato into a partisan outfit that is less libertarian than the current Cato, and acts to promote the interests of the Republican Party. They worry that the Kochs will stack the Cato board of directors […]
Koch v. Cato — Woodlief Responds, Frank Comments
Here are two more worthwhile posts on the Koch-Cato kerfuffle: One by Tony Woodlief responding to Jerry Taylor, the other by Ted Frank. Recognizing that not every reader of the VC is interested in this contretemps, I’ve placed excerpts from both posts below the jump. [UPDATE: It appears Ted Frank’s comment has been taken down. […]
Cato, the Kochs, and Supposed Libertarian Inconsistency
Some critics of Cato’s stance in the Cato v. Koch dispute claim that it is inconsistent for libertarians to criticize the Koch brothers’ exercise of their rights. After all, libertarians support property rights, so how they can criticize anyone’s use of their property? Such claims are misguided. They are the equivalent of arguing that if […]
Koch v. Cato — The View From Koch
I have spoken with quite a few folks close to the Koch brothers and their organizations, but have not been able to get anyone to speak (let alone answer questions) on the record. I have, however, come across a letter sent to alumni of the Charles G. Koch fellowship program detailing the Kochs’ position. I […]
Libertarianism and the Civil War
By Ilya Somin on March 6, 2012 12:55 am in Civil War, Federalism, History, Libertarianism, Racism, Secession
Over at Libertarianism.Org, Jonathan Blanks has an interesting series of posts criticizing libertarians who defend the secession of the Southern states that precipitated the civil war (see here and here). Like Blanks, I believe that any possible justification that the Confederates may have had was negated by the fact that they seceded for the purpose […]
Koch v. Cato – Monday Morning Roundup
The Koch brothers lawsuit to take control of the Cato Institute has continued to receive commentary, and has even inspired a Facebook page. Over the weekend, I posted a statement from Jerry Taylor of the Cato Institute. I will present the the Kochs’ perspective if and when I get a statement or am able to […]
Koch v. Cato — A View from Cato
My friend Jerry Taylor, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, offered me his perspective on the Koch-Cato dispute. Jerry’s obviously sympathetic to Cato President Ed Crane, but he also offers a fair amount of detail about recent events, including recent changes to the Cato Institute’s Board of Directors — changes that occurred last Thursday […]
Koch v. Cato Follow Up
Since yesterday’s post, I’ve been hearing from folks on various sides of the conflict and hope to be able to report some additional details shortly, including news on recent changes to Cato’s Board of Directors — changes that relate to the current conflict. In the meantime, Laurie Bennett has more coverage at Forbes (including a graphic […]
The Cato Institute and the Kochs
For what it is worth, I completely agree with co-blogger Jonathan Adler’s comments on the Koch brothers’ lawsuit against the Cato Institute. I don’t know whether the Kochs’ legal rights have been violated or not. If they have, I can understand their frustration. But, for the reasons Jonathan explains, this lawsuit – even if meritorious […]
Koch v. Cato
Yesterday the Washington Post‘s “ThinkTanked” blog reported that Charles and David Koch have filed a lawsuit to take control of the Cato Institute, the nation’s most prominent libertarian think tank. Although it is a non-profit, as initially incorporated, Cato is effectively owned by a board of shareholders. Until recently, this board consisted of Cato President […]
What Milton Friedman Means to Me
Co-blogger Eugene Volokh links to the Free to Choose Foundation’s “What Milton Friedman Means to Me” video competition. The contest marks the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Friedman’s birth. I’m not very good at making videos, but Friedman did mean a great deal to me, as I explained in this 2006 post on the […]