Right-Wing Idea Factory

An incisive analysis of one of the most disruptive forces in modern American politics, The Right-Wing Idea Factory is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the fundamental transformation of conservatism in the Trump era and beyond. While Donald Trump's 2024 re-election was hailed by many as a personal triumph, political scientist Donald F. Kettl argues it marked the apex of a movement that began long before Trump entered politics--and one that will continue to shape the American landscape long after he's gone. In The Right-Wing Idea Factory, Kettl traces the rise of a revolutionary political force that has redefined the American right. Fueled by soft money and amplified by social media, a network of determined activists and organizations worked to dismantle traditional free-market conservatism and replace it with a populist agenda rooted in cultural and social issues. From abortion and gender to critical race theory, book bans, immigration, and the "deep state," this movement built a powerful new political base--one designed not just to win elections, but to reshape the rules of governance for generations. Kettl reveals how this idea factory has profoundly influenced policy at every level of government, driving polarization and upending long-standing political norms. With sharp insight and deep research, he offers a vital account of how the American right has evolved--and what that means for the future of democracy.

Donald F. Kettl is Professor Emeritus and former Dean at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Kettl is the author or editor of 25 books, including Experts in Government: The Deep State from Caligula to Trump and Beyond (2023) and Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems (with William D. Eggers, 2023). He has received six lifetime achievement awards, and three of his books have received national best book awards.