In 509 B.C., Rome had rebelled against the Etruscan Empire and established a Republic. Romans consciously avoided any type of tyranny after suffering Etruscan arrogance and absolute, abusive power. During the next three centuries to Cato’s time, Rome flourished. It strengthened the Republic (fair law, voting rights, economy, empire, more power & status to the Plebian people, more restrictions on rich Patricians, more controls on the government). Rome’s success had been based upon the Roman Yeoman, i.e., the clever, tough, free, self-reliant, competent, patriotic, effective, farmer-type of Roman citizen (like Cincinnatus) as the backbone of the state & military.

     About 200 B.C., the Yeoman class began to shrink while poor classes grew, and grew poorer. Cato stood tall against this inrushing tide of hostility to Olde-School Romanitas. Cato’s name became a label, a by-word, for “Conservative.” Following the time of M. Portius Cato (234-149 B.C.), change would accelerate to the point that many  historians have termed the century after Cato, “The Roman Revolution.” 

     Cato does manifest the characteristics of a ‘conservative.’ What, precisely, does he favor? What, in detail, does he reject, attack, ridicule, argue against? Is Cato's approach to politics and the state similar, or different from, what Confucius' Analects present? If both are conservative, are they the 'same conservative' or are there different sorts here? What is different, what is similar? Please be specific, with page/paragraph numbers to cite/explain your examples, whether from Plutarch, Riley, or online.

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Cato's Mission NOW   (From the modern Cato Institute’s Home Page online)

     The Cato Institute seeks to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to allow consideration of the traditional American principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets… the rule of law… and peace. Toward that goal, the Institute strives to achieve greater involvement of the intelligent, concerned lay public in questions of policy and the proper role of government.