Conservative Counter-Mobilization and the Activist State

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Steven Teles, Professor of Political Science, Brandeis University

The emergence of a complex network of conservative "counter-institutions" is one of the most important developments in American politics over the last two decades. Peculiarly, however, political scientists have paid scant attention to the challenges conservative have faced in developing organizations to challenge the modern activist state. This paper traces the evolution of these counter-institutions in three areas: social security, law, and universities. It asks, "why have conservatives been more successful in developing counter-institutions in some areas than others," as well as addressing their relative impact.