Corporate Conservatives Go to War: How the National Association of Manufacturers Planned to Restore American Free Enterprise, 1939-1948

During World War II, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) spent millions of dollars on a campaign to promote the indispensability of private enterprise to the successful mobilization of the American economy. Unpublished primary sources reveal the extent of the NAM's wartime mission, which included a vast structure of research on an unprecedented scale. The studies were assembled and widely distributed to influence both Washington power-brokers and the American public to embrace a post-war future ruled by private enterprise capitalism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) played a pivotal role in reviving the reputation of American business after the devastating effects of the Great Depression. With a determination unmatched by any other employers organization, the NAM embarked on a multi-media campaign that spanned the factory floor to the movie theatre, promoting the indispensability of private enterprise to the successful mobilization of the American economy during World War II. Spending millions of dollars, the NAM launched a comprehensive research project, employing over one hundred individuals dedicated to planning the best solutions for restoring American 'free enterprise capitalism' after the war. This research effort was painstakingly assembled and widely distributed, serving as a complementary arm to the organization's pro-business propaganda message.

What emerges from these unpublished primary sources is a unique and revealing glimpse into the minds of the corporate class in wartime America. The NAM's wartime mission was clear: to exploit the exceptional circumstances of total war to influence both the power-brokers in Washington who wrote economic policy and the American public as a whole to embrace a post-war future ruled by private enterprise capitalism. The organization's unwavering commitment to promoting private enterprise was driven by a desire to secure its interests and ensure the continued dominance of the corporate sector in the years to come.

Through its multi-media campaign, the NAM employed a range of strategies to achieve its goals. It produced a series of films, documentaries, and radio programs that showcased the contributions of American business to the war effort, highlighting the efficiency, innovation, and productivity of the private sector. The organization also launched a public relations campaign that sought to portray the government as overly interventionist and in favor of labor unions, which undermined the credibility of the private sector.

Furthermore, the NAM organized a series of conferences and workshops that brought together business leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss the future of American capitalism. These events served as platforms for the NAM to promote its vision for a post-war economy dominated by private enterprise and to challenge the liberal prescriptions of the reigning administration. The organization's efforts were not without opposition, however. Labor unions, socialist and communist groups, and other anti-business organizations criticized the NAM for its perceived exploitation of the war and its disregard for the interests of workers and consumers.

Despite these challenges, the NAM's wartime mission was ultimately successful. The war provided a unique opportunity for American business to improve its reputation and position itself as a key driver of economic growth and prosperity. The organization's multi-media campaign, research project, and public relations efforts helped to shape public opinion and influence policymakers, ultimately leading to the adoption of policies that favored private enterprise capitalism.

In conclusion, World War II presented a unique opportunity for American business to rebuild its reputation and position itself as a key driver of economic growth. The National Association of Manufacturers played a pivotal role in this effort, spending millions of dollars on a multi-media campaign that promoted the indispensability of private enterprise to the successful mobilization of the American economy. Through its comprehensive research project and public relations efforts, the NAM successfully shaped public opinion and influenced policymakers, leading to the adoption of policies that favored private enterprise capitalism. The organization's unwavering commitment to promoting private enterprise was driven by a desire to secure its interests and ensure the continued dominance of the corporate sector in the years to come.

Weight: 549g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030439101
Edition number: 1st ed. 2020