Polling shows that since the 1950s Americans' trust in government has fallen dramatically to
historically low levels. In At War with Government the political scientists Amy Fried and
Douglas B. Harris reveal that this trend is no accident. Although distrust of authority is
deeply rooted in American culture it is fueled by conservative elites who benefit from it.
Since the postwar era conservative leaders have deliberately and strategically undermined faith
in the political system for partisan aims. Fried and Harris detail how conservatives have sown
distrust to build organizations win elections shift power toward institutions that they
control and secure policy victories. They trace this strategy from the Nixon and Reagan years
through Gingrich's Contract with America the Tea Party and Donald Trump's rise and
presidency. Conservatives have promoted a political identity opposed to domestic state action
used racial messages to undermine unity and cultivated cynicism to build and bolster
coalitions. Once in power they have defunded public services unless they help their
constituencies and rolled back regulations perversely proving the failure of government.
