Sphere of Influence: How American Libertarians Are Remaking Latin American Politics - 2017-08-09

Sphere of Influence: How American Libertarians Are Remaking Latin American Politics August 9, 2017, Lee Fang, The Intercept

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Yet the only way to make all that possible, he added, would be to build a network of politically active nonprofits all waging separate battles to push the same libertarian goals. The existing model — the constellation of right-wing think tanks in Washington, D.C., supported by powerful endowments — is the only path forward for Brazil, Schüler said.

Atlas, for its part, is busy doing just that. It gives grants for new think tanks, provides courses on political management and public relations, sponsors networking events around the world, and, in recent years, has devoted special resources to prodding libertarians to influence public opinion through social media and online videos.

An annual competition encourages Atlas's network to produce viral YouTube videos promoting laissez-faire ideas and ridiculing proponents of the welfare state. James O'Keefe, the provocateur famous for needling Democrats with his undercover videos, has appeared before Atlas to explain his methods. Producers from a Wisconsin group that worked to create online videos to discredit teacher protests against Gov. Scott Walker's law busting public sector unions have also provided instructions for Atlas's training sessions.

Wikipedia cite:

{{cite news | first = Lee | last = Fang | title = Sphere of Influence: How American Libertarians Are Remaking Latin American Politics | url = https://theintercept.com/2017/08/09/atlas-network-alejandro-chafuen-libertarian-think-tank-latin-america-brazil/ | work = The Intercept | date = August 9, 2017 | accessdate = April 23, 2020 }}