Description
Book SynopsisOver the past forty years, conservatives have mastered the art of pursuing policy change across the states, while similar liberal efforts have floundered. Using a diverse array of original evidence, including interviews, previously-unexamined archival records, and new surveys, State Capture explains why and how conservatives developed cross-state political clout while progressives did not. The book also carefully documents the implications of conservative cross-state network-building for American democracy, spelling out its consequences for political inequality and representation, as well as for our understanding of the relationship between private-sector businesses, political activists, and wealthy donors.In State Capture, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez details the development of a trio of conservative groups operating within and outside of state legislatures responsible for the right''s success in the states. This right-leaning troika includes the American Legislative Exchange Council (A
Trade ReviewIn his systematic and impeccably researched work, Hertel-Fernandez discusses why liberal efforts to counter the troika have floundered and why this infiltration of right-wing state policy endangers the quality of American democracy. A highly specific, important study in understanding why attention to state legislatures and local elections across the country is increasingly crucial. * Kirkus *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Introduction PART I: The Evolution of ALEC: A Corporate-Conservative Anchor Across the States Chapter 1: "The Most Dangerously Effective Organization": A Smart ALEC is Born Chapter 2: Policy Plagiarism: A Window into ALEC's Reach Across the U.S. States Chapter 3: An Easy A with ALEC: ALEC's Appeal for State Legislators Chapter 4: "A Great Investment": ALEC's Appeal for Big Business · PART II: The Right-Wing Troika and its Foes Chapter 5: A Little Help from Their Friends: Introducing the Right-Wing Troika Chapter 6: Transforming the Nation One State at a Time: The Right-Wing Troika and State Policy Chapter 7: "Feisty Chihuahuas Versus a Big Gorilla": Why Left-Wing Efforts to Counter the Troika Have Floundered Conclusion: State Capture and American Democracy Technical Appendix Works Cited
