LAWRENCE, Kan. - s4story -- The University Press of Kansas announces the publication of Architects of Authoritarianism: The Claremont Institute and the Making of the MAGA New Right by historian F. Darrell Munsell, a provocative and deeply researched account of how a conservative think tank devoted to the American Founding evolved into a central force shaping one of the most consequential political movements of our time.

Founded in 1979 with a mission to restore the principles of the American Founding, the Claremont Institute was once a hub for serious political philosophy rooted in Straussian thought. In this eye-opening new book, Munsell traces the institute's dramatic transformation from an intellectual center of conservative scholarship into a strategic and ideological powerhouse driving the MAGA movement and its vision for American governance.

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Munsell reveals how Claremont's shift toward political activism accelerated with its early endorsement of Donald Trump in 2016, followed by its deep engagement in America's culture wars over race, education, and national identity. As Claremont leaders framed these issues as existential threats to the Constitution, their rhetoric and strategy increasingly embraced a more combative and populist approach to politics—culminating in involvement by key figures in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the institute's role in shaping National Conservatism and Project 2025.

With clarity and urgency, Munsell pulls back the curtain on the intellectual networks and strategic ambitions shaping the future of American politics. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the forces behind the MAGA movement and the broader challenges facing American democracy today.

Key Features & News Angles:

• Inside the Claremont Institute: A rare, in-depth history of one of the most influential—and least understood—political think tanks in America.
• From Philosophy to Power: Traces Claremont's transformation from a scholarly institution into a driving force behind the MAGA agenda.
• January 6 Connections: Explores the role of Claremont-affiliated figures in efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
• The Rise of National Conservatism: Examines how Claremont helped shape a new ideological movement rooted in populism, nationalism, and illiberalism.
• Project 2025 Revealed: Provides critical context for the controversial policy blueprint influencing the future of Republican governance.
• Timely and Urgent: A must-read for journalists, political analysts, scholars, and general readers seeking to understand the current crossroads of American democracy.
 

Learn more about the book here: https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700642854/

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