Conservatives can’t use the long march strategy because the left isn’t dumb enough to let them penetrate institutions. Instead, conservatives need to do the equivalent of a private equity buyout and restructure institutions from the top down.
…ownership of Twitter marked the first time someone on the right actually acquired ownership of a major culture shaping institution and leveraged that ownership for political and cultural change. This arguably played an important role in Trump’s election, and Musk now plays a key role in the administration (for now at least). The Twitter ownership change is also probably one of the big factors in the recent “vibe shift” in the culture. And this was from controlling and fully leveraging just one institution.
The other interesting thing is that it is the left that chose exit from Twitter, largely leaving for the startup Bluesky app, which has become a low quality left wing echo chamber. They intentionally marginalized themselves from the discourse because by and large the mainstream, including most major journalists, stayed on X.
Musk’s Twitter takeover is the exact opposite of the typical pattern. Conservatives took over a liberal institution, and the left exited for a lower quality, culturally marginal platform.
Grok's DeepSearch says:
Key Points
- It seems likely that the right can take back institutions from the left by acquiring and restructuring them, as seen with Elon Musk's acquisition of X, which may have influenced Donald Trump's 2024 election.
- Research suggests this strategy works for specific institutions like media or social platforms, but scaling it is challenging due to financial and cultural barriers.
- The evidence leans toward a combination of direct takeovers and building parallel institutions, given the left's entrenched positions in academia and media.
- There's controversy around whether such takeovers alienate audiences or face resistance, as seen with X's initial backlash.
Direct Answer
The right can potentially take back institutions from the left by buying and restructuring key culture-shaping entities, like Elon Musk did with X in 2023. This approach, dubbed a "private equity buyout," involves gaining ownership and leveraging it for political and cultural change, which may have played a role in Donald Trump's 2024 election victory. Musk's changes to X, such as altering content moderation, arguably shifted cultural vibes, with the left migrating to less influential platforms like Bluesky, while mainstream journalists stayed on X.
Challenges and Context
However, this strategy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires significant financial resources, and not all institutions—such as public universities or government agencies—are easily acquirable. For instance, while X's takeover showed promise, scaling this to academia or legacy media faces hurdles like entrenched staff resistance and legal constraints. The evidence suggests the right might also build parallel institutions, like conservative media outlets, but direct takeovers can be more impactful for high-leverage platforms.
However, this strategy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires significant financial resources, and not all institutions—such as public universities or government agencies—are easily acquirable. For instance, while X's takeover showed promise, scaling this to academia or legacy media faces hurdles like entrenched staff resistance and legal constraints. The evidence suggests the right might also build parallel institutions, like conservative media outlets, but direct takeovers can be more impactful for high-leverage platforms.
Unexpected Detail
An interesting development is Jeff Bezos's recent announcement on X that The Washington Post will focus on supporting personal liberties and free markets, potentially aligning with conservative values, though its impact is still unfolding as of March 2025.
An interesting development is Jeff Bezos's recent announcement on X that The Washington Post will focus on supporting personal liberties and free markets, potentially aligning with conservative values, though its impact is still unfolding as of March 2025.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Right-Wing Strategies for Institutional Reclamation
This analysis explores how conservative or right-wing groups might reclaim control over key societal institutions currently dominated by left-wing or progressive factions, focusing on the strategy of direct acquisition and restructuring, as exemplified by Elon Musk's acquisition of X. The discussion integrates insights from Aaron Ren's analysis and broader research, considering feasibility, challenges, and alternative approaches, with a timeline up to March 26, 2025.
Background and Context
The left's dominance in institutions like academia, media, and culture has been attributed to their "long march through the institutions," a gradual infiltration strategy that conservatives find difficult to replicate due to the left's entrenched positions. Aaron Ren, in his article "Institutions and the Right" (Institutions and the Right Analysis), argues that the right has traditionally relied on defensive strategies, such as withdrawing and starting new institutions (e.g., Fox News, homeschooling), while the left has used attacking strategies like capturing or replacing existing ones. Ren highlights a shift towards aggressive tactics, citing examples like Ron DeSantis's reforms in Florida, Musk's X acquisition, and the second Trump administration's approach.
The user's query specifically points to Musk's 2023 acquisition of X as a model, noting its potential role in Trump's 2024 election and a cultural "vibe shift." This acquisition allowed Musk to restructure X, altering content moderation and amplifying right-leaning voices, which may have contributed to political outcomes. The left's migration to Bluesky, described as a "low quality left-wing echo chamber," further marginalized their discourse, with mainstream journalists staying on X, enhancing its cultural influence.
Strategy of Direct Acquisition
The proposed strategy, likened to a "private equity buyout," involves conservatives acquiring major institutions and restructuring them from the top down. This approach contrasts with the slow infiltration model and leverages financial resources to gain control quickly.
- Case Study: X Acquisition
Musk's acquisition of X in 2023, costing approximately $44 billion, enabled him to fire staff, change policies, and amplify conservative voices, potentially influencing the 2024 election. Research from The Heritage Foundation (Left's Institutional Capture) notes the left's success in capturing institutions, suggesting that direct takeovers can counter this. The left's exit to Bluesky, as noted in The Nation (American Left Conservative Defense), reduced their platform influence, with X retaining mainstream relevance. - Potential Targets
Other institutions ripe for acquisition include struggling media outlets (e.g., newspapers, TV networks) or private universities. For instance, a conservative billionaire could buy a major newspaper chain, as suggested by New York Magazine (Conservative Long March Theory). However, Time Magazine (Conservative University Efforts) highlights the right's challenges in academia, where cultural resistance is strong. - Challenges
Financial barriers are significant, as only a few, like Musk, have the resources for such moves. Cultural resistance is another hurdle, with staff potentially resisting changes, leading to brain drain or sabotage. Legal and regulatory constraints, such as shareholder agreements, can complicate takeovers, as noted in AAUP discussions on higher education (Conservative Plight in Academia). Public backlash, as seen with initial X controversies, could also damage credibility.
Comparative Analysis: Alternative Strategies
While acquisition is direct, other strategies include:
- Influence Through Appointments: The Federalist Society's success in judicial appointments, as discussed in The Thinking Conservative (Education and Indoctrination), shows how conservatives can shape institutions without ownership.
- Legal Challenges: Using courts to challenge institutional practices, as seen in affirmative action cases (Time on University Challenges).
- Building Parallel Institutions: Creating conservative media like Breitbart or think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute, though Ren argues this is defensive and less impactful for cultural shifts.
A table comparing these strategies is provided below:
Strategy | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Direct Acquisition | Buy and restructure institutions like X | Quick impact, high leverage | High cost, cultural resistance, legal hurdles |
Influence Through Appointments | Appoint conservatives to key positions | Gradual change, leverages existing power | Slow, limited to government institutions |
Legal Challenges | Use courts to change practices | Can force systemic change | Time-consuming, uncertain outcomes |
Build Parallel Institutions | Create new conservative entities | Avoids resistance, builds own base | Defensive, niche impact, slow growth |
Recent Developments and Examples
As of March 2025, an interesting development is Jeff Bezos's announcement, as reported by the Review Journal (Retaking Institutions Importance), that The Washington Post will focus on personal liberties and free markets, potentially aligning with conservative values. While browsing The Washington Post's website (Washington Post Homepage) did not confirm this directly, it suggests a possible shift in media institutions, though its impact is still unfolding.
DeSantis's actions in Florida, such as curriculum reforms, exemplify political control over educational institutions, aligning with Ren's attacking strategy. The Conservative Partnership Institute (Conservative Policy Support) also supports congressional influence, indicating a multi-pronged approach.
Feasibility and Scalability
The X model is feasible for specific, high-impact institutions with centralized control, but scaling to academia or government agencies is challenging due to their decentralized nature. Carnegie Endowment's polarization reduction ideas (Polarization Reduction Ideas) suggest that cultural shifts require broad strategies, not just acquisitions.
Financial resources limit scalability, with few conservative figures matching Musk's wealth. Cultural resistance, as seen in university efforts (Time on University Challenges), means takeovers might face significant pushback, potentially alienating audiences.
Conclusion
The right can take back institutions from the left through direct acquisition and restructuring, as Musk's X takeover demonstrates, potentially influencing cultural and political landscapes. However, this strategy's success depends on financial means, institutional type, and managing resistance. A combination with influence operations and parallel institution-building, as Ren suggests, offers a balanced approach, acknowledging the complexity and controversy around such moves.
Key Citations
