Right Wing

Information About the Right

This is Commonweal Institute's collection of articles, reports and resources for studying the right-wing ideological movement.

We hope that you can take the time to become informed on these issues, and inform others.

We also have a Progressive Infrastructure Information page with articles, reports and resources focusing on development of Progressive infrastructure organizations and a Progressive Philosophy and Values page, with articles, reports and resources focusing on Progressive philosophy and values.

Contents:

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Articles and reports focusing on the right-wing attack on the judicial system:

Hijacking Justice: The Federalist Society, a Right-wing network of lawyers, judges and supporters,
is undoing civil rights and other gains made through the courts,
George E. Curry & Trevor W. Coleman, Emerge, October 1999

Federalist Society Becomes a Force in Washington, Conservative Group's Members Take Key Roles in Bush White House and Help Shape Policy and Judicial Appointments ,
Thomas B. Edsall, Washington Post, April 18, 2001

A Hostile Takeover, How the Federalist Society is capturing the federal courts,
Martin Garbus, The American Prospect, March 1, 2003

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This paper uses Lewis Powell's 1971 "manifesto" as a framework for examining how the Right has gained power over the last 30 years relative to Progressives and Democrats.  Particular focus is on think tanks, universities, judicial system, and media and marketing.

Read the white paper here (PDF)

This ground-breaking Commonweal Institute report by David C. Johnson and Leonard M. Salle analyzes in depth the conservative movement’s multi-pronged attack as a long-term, strategic process aimed at privatizing education. The report provides a detailed plan for how public education advocates can work with their allies to form a network of organizations and individuals - an infrastructure - that will be able get their messages to the broad public and increase political support for public education.

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A recognizable pattern is emerging in Republican Party behavior, and it’s not pretty.  Cannibalism might be a fair characterization to describe the goings on in Republican circles, both inside Congressional halls and in the country at large.  It appears that a major battle has been initiated by right-wing conservatives for control of the party.  The ultimate goal is to create a society characterized by limited government, individual liberty and Biblical morality.  The conservative Republicans maintain such a society was envisioned by the Founders, and thus its re-establishment is a desirable goal.  In the fight for control of the party, moderate and liberal Republican influence is being eliminated, often ruthlessly.

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