The rise of right-wing populism is not an overnight success story. It didn't happen because millions of people suddenly started listening to Rush Limbaugh. And the current widespread influence of right-wing groups is not unique to this period in American history. The roots are deep and the historical trends point the way to where we are today: rightwing values have a firm grip on many mainstream political and cultural institutions. The strategies used by right-wing leaders to achieve this success are worth examining by any grassroots organizer.

Chip Berlet
Chip Berlet is senior analyst with Political Research Associates, the Somerville, Massachusetts-based organization. PRA monitors and reports on the political right wing. His articles appear in The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Progressive magazine. He is the editor of "Eyes Right: Challenging the Right Wing Backlash" and co-author of "Right-Wing Populism in America."