Behind the Bastards Part One: How Conservatism Won
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Apr 2, 2024 
David Bell discusses the funding of right wing think tanks and the shift in American culture. Topics include the evolution of political labels, the influence of think tanks on policy decisions, the flawed strategy of the Rand Corporation in the Vietnam War, and the marketing of trickle-down economics.
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Eisenhower's Highways
- Eisenhower, a Republican, built the interstate highway system.
- Such large-scale public works projects are now politically inconceivable.
Cultural Shift
- The shift from FDR's popularity to Reagan's rise involved a cultural shift.
- This was driven by a network of right-wing think tanks promoting conservative thought.
Think Tanks and Dark Money
- Think tanks are uniquely influential in US policy.
- They're essentially dark money channels where intellectuals create illusions of consensus.