What often goes unexamined about conservative movements is how they are funded by a network of hidden donors, a system known as dark money.

This process, which allows wealthy individuals, corporations, and political action committees (PACs) to contribute vast sums to political causes without revealing their identities, is a key mechanism that shapes and influences the conservative agenda. This system ensures that the interests of a small, powerful group of elites are advanced, often at the expense of public transparency and democratic accountability.

The Rise of Dark Money 

The modern era of dark money was largely ushered in by two key U.S. Supreme Court decisions: Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) and Speechnow.org v. Federal Election Commission (2010). These rulings opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate and union spending in elections, and they led to the creation of Super PACs and other non-profit organizations that can accept unlimited contributions.

The key to dark money is the use of non-profit groups, specifically those organized under sections 501(c)(4) of the tax code. These groups are not required to disclose their donors and can spend money on political advertising as long as politics are not their "primary purpose" (which is interpreted to mean less than 50% of their spending). This legal loophole allows donors to fund political campaigns and advocacy efforts with complete anonymity.

For conservative movements, this system has been revolutionary. It provides a means to push a consistent agenda of deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, and opposition to social spending without the public knowing who is paying for it.

The Koch Network: A Case Study in Influence

Perhaps the most prominent example of a dark money network is the one built by the late Charles and David Koch. Over the past two decades, the Koch network has spent billions of dollars on conservative and libertarian causes, shaping everything from local elections to Supreme Court appointments.

The network is a complex web of organizations, including the political advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, the think tank Cato Institute, and various academic and legal organizations. These groups work in concert to promote a consistent agenda:

• Tax and Fiscal Policy: They have been a primary force behind tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, arguing that such policies stimulate economic growth.

• Deregulation: They have lobbied extensively to roll back environmental regulations, arguing that they stifle economic development.

• Climate Change Denial: The network has funded numerous organizations that spread misinformation about climate change and oppose government action to address it.

The influence of the Koch network is a classic example of how hidden donors can shape the political landscape. By operating through a variety of non-disclosing groups, they can fund large-scale advertising campaigns, grassroots organizing, and academic research without revealing the source of the funding, making it difficult for the public to connect the political messaging to the interests of a small group of billionaires.

The Strategic Use of Dark Money

Dark money is not just about spending; it's about strategy. Conservative donors and their allies use it to achieve specific political and policy goals:

• Shaping Public Opinion: Dark money funds massive advertising campaigns that frame political debates in ways that are favorable to the conservative agenda. These ads can be used to attack political opponents, promote specific policies, or sow doubt about scientific consensus, all without a clear source of funding.

• Funding Think Tanks and Academia: A significant portion of dark money goes to think tanks and universities. These institutions produce research and talking points that are then used by politicians and the media to justify conservative policies. This creates a feedback loop where research funded by a specific interest group is used to justify policies that benefit that same group.

• Influencing Judicial Appointments: Dark money has also played a crucial role in shaping the judiciary. Groups funded by hidden donors have spent millions to support the confirmation of conservative judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court. This is a long-term strategy to ensure that the courts will protect the interests of corporations and the wealthy for generations to come.

In conclusion, what's often missing from the public conversation about conservatism is the vital role that dark money plays in its success.

By allowing a small group of wealthy donors to fund political movements and campaigns in secret, the system of dark money subverts the principles of democratic transparency and allows a narrow set of interests to exert outsized influence over political outcomes. 

This quiet but powerful force is a fundamental reason why many conservative policies, despite being unpopular with the majority of the public, are so successful at shaping the laws of the land.