The Powell Memorandum

The Powell Memorandum, written in 1971 by lawyer and scholar Learmonth Powell, outlined a strategy for conservative business interests to preserve their influence in American society. It emphasized the importance of actively engaging in educational, political, and media arenas to shape public opinion and policy in favor of free enterprise. The memorandum argued that without such efforts, liberal ideas and government regulation could threaten corporate interests. Many see it as a blueprint that motivated business groups to organize, fund advocacy, and influence institutions, shaping the conservative movement and the political landscape over subsequent decades.