Trust in our institutions – religious, medical, educational, cultural, or governmental – has eroded significantly in the last century, especially in the last decade. Conservatives in particular lament the sad state of our institutions which they view as co-opted by forces hostile to the best interests of Americans. Marxist theorist Rudi Dutschke’s “long march through the institutions” has been a complete success, many conservatives believe, and we’re witnessing its poisonous fruits.

The rise of Donald Trump demonstrates this point. His ascent indicates American distrust of government and Washington insiders. Trump’s great appeal was his outsider status, his lack of institutional entrenchment, and the hope that he might actually bring about change in a system immobilized by bureaucracy and

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