… should I, an opponent of both libertarianism AND the Republican party mourn its demise as an independent think tank* at all?
*I know that some people would argue that it isn’t independent now, and I know that the Kochs have said that it would continue to be independent. But if the Kochs win, I can’t see how the reputation of the organization isn’t tied much more closely to Koch-brand Republicanism than before.
(For those who have no idea what’s going on, I think this gives an idea.)
(I suppose I should first disclaim that while I’ve read peices by Cato, I’m neither a close follower of the institute, nor do I have a specific opinion of the Kochs, agreeing and disagreeing on the matter.)
I think you need to establish several things:
(1) This appears to me to be largely a personal dispute more than a political one. I heard about the argument some time ago (frrm my favorite blogger, McMegan) and read several opinions of various sides.
(2) How would the Cato being under the Kochs, or one Koch brother at least, change it from being “independant,” given that it does not, and realistically cannot, control too tightly what its writers and researchers produce, and in any case
(3) How would the Cato being under the Kochs, or one Koch brother at least, change it from being “independant,” given that the Kochs aren’t exactly adherents to any organization. While they give money to and prefer Republicans, they’ve argued with various prominent Republicans in the past and msot definitely do not agree with the party platform in significant areas. To the extent I understand it, I don’t see much of any difference between what Cato produces now and what the Kochs’ ideals are.
The Koch brothers may appropriate funds for specific research, cut off grants where the conclusions drawn are undesirable or not forthcoming and refuse to publish or add editorial oversight.
From the little I know about the Cato Institute, it won’t affect what it does to a great degree.
Cato’s influence has been waning for some time; a Koch takeover would merely accelerate a process already in motion.