The Old Playbook of Power and Influence Is Different Now

About this episode

The episode discusses the evolution of political influence strategies from Ronald Reagan's era to the present.

When Ronald Reagan won the presidency, in 1980, it was a victory long in the making. For almost half a century, conservatives had plotted ways to cut taxes and undo workers’ rights. Their playbook for political influence went something like this: create a think tank, publish reputable reports, build relationships with journalists and politicians, and disseminate free-market ideas to the public, creating a new common sense. Today, the art of political influence is rather different. Think...

People in this episode

Host: Columbia Journalism Review

Topics covered

• political influence
• conservatism
• tax policy
• workers' rights
• media relations

Keywords

• political influence
• Ronald Reagan
• conservatives
• think tanks
• free-market ideas

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