1、 Introduction

The development process of American conservatism was discussed, from its emergence as a rebellion against New Deal liberalism after World War II, to Goldwater's presidential campaign marking its entry into the political arena in the 1960s, and then to Reagan's election as the President of the United States in the 1980s. Conservatism became an ideology that opposed New Deal liberalism. In the 21st century, the elections of George W. Bush and Donald Trump reflected a shift in the connotation and essence of conservatism, from traditional conservatism to neoconservatism, and then to the fusion of populism during the Trump era. Conservatism has had a significant impact on the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States, attracting attention from the domestic academic community. The research focuses on the development logic of conservatism as a political ideology and movement, its performance in federal government policies, and the impact of think tanks and charitable foundations on the rise of conservatism. Li Yan and others pointed out that conservative think tanks are superior to liberal think tanks in terms of quantity, scale, scope of issues, and influence, and hold the power of public debate discourse. Wang Haiming sorted out the logic behind the rise of conservative think tanks and found that they have distinct ideological characteristics. Yinpei Hagi proposed the concept of the "Golden Intelligence Complex", pointing out that charitable foundations shape a conservative ideological system through the mechanism of organic ideas and elite socialization, and influence the political direction of the United States. At present, research on conservative political movements and influencing factors mainly focuses on the federal level, and there is a lack of research on conservative forces at the sub national level. This study suggests that the conservative federalization strategy, which involves political mobilization at the sub federal level, deepening at the state and local levels, and cultivating conservative forces, is the key to its rise and becoming a mainstream ideology. After the 2023 election, the number of state governments controlled by the Republican Party far exceeds that of the Democratic Party, reflecting the success of the federalization strategy.

2、 Analysis of the reasons for the federalization of conservatism

The reasons why conservatives adopt a federalization strategy include: 1 In the context of political polarization, conservatives, as the weaker party, take advantage of the situation and seek to overthrow the dominant position of liberalism; 2. Conservatives strengthen infrastructure at the state level, such as establishing organizations like ALEC, to counter the liberal advantage; 3. With the intensification of party polarization, the federal government is divided and the role of Congress is weakened, while political polarization at the state government level leads to an increase in control by a single party, giving conservatives an advantage at the state level; 4. Conservative ideology naturally tends towards federalism, advocating for decentralization of power and interstate competition to maintain traditional government roles and behavioral norms under the federal system, and to restrict the public sector; During the Reagan presidency, the New Federalism was implemented, emphasizing state power and strengthening consultations between federal, state, and local officials.

3、 Construction and operation of a network of conservative legislators at the state level

The American Legislative Exchange Committee (ALEC) is a conservative national organization that has significant influence on Republican state legislature legislation. ALEC was founded in 1973 with the aim of promoting federalism and conservatism to state legislators. Its members are spread across 47 states, including 6 governors, 13 senators, and 65 current members of Congress. ALEC influences state politics by providing model bills, which are written by non legislative members and presented in their respective parliaments with minor modifications by legislators. The model bill has been cited over 10000 times in state legislatures and Congress, with the ALEC model bill proposed nearly 2900 times and over 600 proposals successfully legislated. The enactment of the ALEC Model Act is the result of a combination of conservative ideology and corporate interests, composed of members of the state legislature and representatives from the private sector. ALEC also serves as a conveyor belt, transmitting successfully legislated conservative bills to conservative lawmakers in other states, promoting policy fission and dissemination. ALEC has become an important policy toolbox and incubator for conservatism, helping states become laboratories for conservatism. ALEC has formed an intertwined ecosystem with conservative think tanks and foundations, achieving great success at the state government level.

4、 The Construction and Rise of Conservative Think Tank Networks at the State Level

The rise of conservative state-level think tanks is a derivative of national level think tanks, with a clear political mission and a redefinition of the nature of think tanks. They not only serve as research institutions, but also as dissemination agencies, political organization centers, and bases for political power. During the Reagan era, conservatives hoped to delegate more decision-making power to states and localities to fill the local influence vacuum controlled by liberal universities and media. Thomas Roy proposed the establishment of organizations similar to traditional foundations at the state level, which was affirmed by Reagan. In the 1980s, conservatives established several state-level think tanks. In 1986, they jointly formed the Madison Group, later renamed the State Policy Network (SPN), which was politically oriented and promoted freedom movements in various states. SPN currently has 68 members spread across 50 states in the United States, including influential think tanks such as the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Goldwater Institute. They conduct research and provide policy recommendations to government agencies and legislative bodies. As the number of members increases and the scale expands, the siphon effect prompts more conservative funds to flow into SPN. SPN diverts funds to smaller think tanks or incubates new think tanks through the platform, providing training, coaching, and strategic planning, building a network of think tank relationships, and integrating knowledge and resources. Member think tanks create synergies by sharing information, resources, and practices, increasing the volume of issues while maintaining flexibility in adjusting strategies based on state conditions. SPN's member institutions exert significant influence in state politics through cooperation with ALEC and directly participate in the state legislative process. SPN's member think tanks also collaborate with national think tanks, linking state-level and national think tanks through shared funding sources, personnel mobility, and specific project collaborations. SPN also trains leaders for the federal government and promotes the development of conservative movements.

5、 Case Study: Anti ESG Movement

Discussed the legislative struggles around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards in various states of the United States, particularly how conservative and far right groups view ESG as part of a liberal "awakening movement" and oppose it. The anti ESG movement reflects the revival of Christian nationalism and right-wing authoritarianism in the United States, as they believe that the "awakening movement" threatens the Christian family values of free-market capitalism and conservatism. The Energy Discrimination Elimination Act passed by Florida Governor DeSantis and Texas is two notable examples of the anti ESG movement. Conservatives proposed 165 anti ESG bills and 9 resolutions in 37 states, of which 14 states passed 22 bills and 6 resolutions. Most of these drafts are based on model bills written by four conservative organizations. The Heritage Foundation and ALEC are the main forces of the anti awakening movement, and they have introduced similar model bills for conservative state legislators to adopt. The conservative interest groups and Republican state-level officials who support this legislative action have formed a complex network of relationships, effectively linking and guiding the Republican Party's priorities in the state legislature.

6、 Conclusion

Emphasis was placed on the significant impact of the party federalization strategy on the development of conservatism and political polarization in the United States. Since the 1970s, conservatives have established an advantage at the state level, thanks to strategic planning, recognition from those in power, financial support, and intellectual support from think tanks. Organizations such as ALEC and SPN promote the spread of conservative policies, while state-level think tanks collaborate with government officials to cultivate leaders and provide support for policies. Conservatism is growing and expanding at the state level, influencing the entire politics of the United States. In terms of political polarization, state governments have become battlefields for interest competition and policy-making, while conservatives are simultaneously exerting efforts at both the federal and state government levels, exacerbating political divisions. The conservative ecosystem and related organizational activities have intensified political opposition. Compared to conservatives, liberals have weak political mobilization at the state level. The success of conservatives at the state level has prompted liberals to increase the construction of state-level organizations, and the power struggle between liberals and conservatives at the state level highlights the degree of political polarization, further tearing apart American politics. The federalization strategy of political parties exacerbates political polarization in the United States, promotes the development of conservatism, and has a profound impact on the political landscape of the United States.