Washington think tanks such as the Brookings Institution, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Heritage Foundation have become so numerous and so influential in recent years that they now constitute virtually a new branch of the political system. In this engrossing and lively book, David M. Ricci brilliantly explores the social, economic, and political trends that have transformed government in Washington and led to the development and prestige of these public policy research centers. "An incisive look at the rise of think tanks and at their impact on policy-making." -- Kirkus Reviews

Why do conservatives tell stories? Because it helps them win elections and assail liberal policies like health care reform and economic stimulus. "Why" is important, but the "what" and the "how" behind the stories that conservatives tell are equally interesting, and in this new book, David Ricci reveals all. He shows how conservative activists and candidates tell many tales that come together to project a large-scale story; a cultural narrative; a vision of what America is and what it should do to prosper socially, economically, and politically. Liberals, by contrast, tend to look for...

Why do conservatives tell stories? Because it helps them win elections and assail liberal policies like health care reform and economic stimulus. "Why" is important, but the "what" and the "how" behind the stories that conservatives tell are equally interesting, and in this new book, David Ricci reveals all. He shows how conservative activists and candidates tell many tales that come together to project a large-scale story; a cultural narrative; a vision of what America is and what it should do to prosper socially, economically, and politically. Liberals, by contrast, tend to look for...