The Powell Memorandum

There was a piece on NPR this morning about a liberal attempt to unite the diverse interests of progressives. In comparing these efforts to those of conservatives,the piece discussed the "Powell Memorandum," a letter from Lewis F. Powell Jr., written about a year before President Nixon named him to the Supreme Court. The Powell Memorandum (also known as the "Powell Manifesto") is probably the most important (and certainly the most influential) piece of political theory to come out of Virginia since Jefferson and Madison walked the earth.

Here is a fairly long piece of analysis on the Manifesto and its effects that is worth reading; although it has a bet of lefty editorializing it seems to be ultimately fair and correct. Here's an excerpt: "The American economic system is under broad attack," the manifesto began. The assault was "gaining momentum and converts" in centers of influence -- "perfectly respectable elements of society who shaped opinion: from the college campus, the pulpit, the media, the intellectual community...and from politicians." Powell's language was baldly militant. American business had to use "confrontational politics"..."to stop suffering in impotent silence, and launch a counter-attack." Business had to learn, he wrote, "that political power is necessary; that such power must be assiduously cultivated; and that, when necessary, it must be used aggressively..." As for Ralph Nader and his ilk, "There should be no reluctance to penalize politically those who oppose [the system]."

Whether or not you agree with it, the Powell Manifesto is a bold piece of writing. Clearly, if John Roberts had written something like it he wouldn't have even been nominated to the Supreme Court.