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 survival 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. (more on 'yeoman')

     About 200 B.C., the Yeoman class began to shrink while poor classes grew, and grew poorer. Cato stood tall against this tide of growing hostility to Romanitas. Cato’s name became a label, a by-word, for “Conservative.”  Kagan introduced him as the “firmest defender of the old Roman traditions” (p.127). 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? Why? How does each piece of evidence reveal Cato as “THE Conservative”? Id est, exactly how were his actions, words, policies, values and ideas consistent with being ‘conservative’? Please be specific, with page/paragraph numbers to cite/explain your examples. Every numbered paragraph has some or much evidence on this….

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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.