By the end of the 1970s, corporate public affairs offices in Washington dramatically expanded from 100 in 1968 to over 500, with registered corporate lobbyists increasing from 175 in 1971 to nearly 2,500. This unprecedented mobilization, influenced by the Powell Memo, represented a systematic …
U.S. Chamber of CommerceCorporate Lobbying IndustryLewis PowellFortune 500 Leadershipcapture-cascadecorporate-lobbyingwashington-dcinstitutional-capturepolitical-infrastructure+1 more
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) was founded in Chicago as the Conservative Caucus of State Legislators, initiated by Mark Rhoads with key involvement from Paul Weyrich. The organization was designed to create a systematic vehicle for corporate and conservative influence over …
Mark RhoadsPaul WeyrichHenry HydeState LegislatorsCorporate Memberscapture-cascadeblueprintalecstate-legislationmodel-bills+2 more
Creation of ALEC as systematic vehicle for corporate influence over state-level legislation. Organization provides platform for corporations to draft model legislation and coordinate with state legislators, representing advanced form of institutional capture through “pay-to-play” …
American Legislative Exchange CouncilState LegislatorsCorporate Memberscapture-cascadeblueprintalecstate-legislationmodel-bills
The Heritage Foundation was established as a conservative policy research organization, with Joseph Coors of Coors Brewing Company providing critical initial funding of $250,000. Founded by Paul Weyrich, Edwin Feulner, and Joseph Coors, the think tank represented a new model of politically …
Joseph CoorsPaul WeyrichEdwin FeulnerHeritage FoundationAdolph Coors Foundationcapture-cascadeblueprintheritage-foundationthink-tankscoors-funding+2 more
The Heritage Foundation was formally incorporated on February 16, 1973, by Paul Weyrich, Edwin Feulner, and Joseph Coors. Inspired by the Powell Memorandum, the organization was designed to be a conservative counterpoint to liberal think tanks like the Brookings Institution. Joseph Coors provided …
Joseph CoorsPaul WeyrichEdwin FeulnerAdolph Coors Foundationcapture-cascadeblueprintheritage-foundationthink-tanksconservative-movement+1 more
Formation of the Business Roundtable by CEOs of major corporations like Alcoa and General Electric to coordinate political strategy and policy advocacy. Founded by John D. Harper (Alcoa) and Fred Borch (GE), the organization was created to resist union power, counter growing corporate regulation, …
John D. HarperFred BorchRoger BloughThomas MurphyIrving Shapiro+1 morecapture-cascadeblueprintbusiness-roundtablecorporate-coordinationpowell-memo+2 more
Supreme Court Justice nominee Lewis F. Powell Jr. writes confidential memo to U.S. Chamber of Commerce outlining systematic strategy for corporate capture of democratic institutions. The memo provides a detailed blueprint for business mobilization through think tanks, legal foundations, lobbying …
Lewis F. Powell Jr.Eugene B. Sydnor Jr.U.S. Chamber of CommerceRichard Mellon ScaifeJoe Coors+1 morecapture-cascadeblueprintinstitutional-capturepowell-memochamber-of-commerce+1 more