Bureaucrash
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This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin. |
Bureaucrash is a project of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), a neoliberal think tank based in Washington DC.
At the time that the group's website first appeared in December 2000 there was no disclosure as to who was funding the group.[1] Bureaucrash described itself in 2002 as "a decentralized, umbrella network of guerilla activists dedicated to the idea of a free society."[2] The lack of disclosure about who was funding the group persisted for over six years. In March 2006 an article on CEI's website stated that "In March, Bureaucrash and CEI formed a new strategic partnership to combine the strengths of each organization to help spread the ideas of liberty."[3]
The last version of the group's website indexed in the Internet Archive, dated July 2007, did not mention the role of CEI.[4] The lack of disclosure led to Bureaucrash being described as a front group for the CEI.[5]
As of February 2008 the group's website states that "Bureaucrash is sponsored by the Competitive Enterprise Institute." No other sponsors are listed.[6]
Contents
About Bureaucrash
Initially Bureaucrash pitched itself as "a network of guerilla activists who oppose the growing disease of the bureaucratic state" and emphasizied that "we come from all backgrounds and ideologies, but share in common a conviction that the bloated administrative government is the greatest threat to our freedom, creativity and sense of choice."[1] The following year the group's website was more explicit about its political slant stating that it "develops full scale campaigns and web resources for libertarian guerilla activism." [2].
On its website Bureaucrash stated that it was "dedicated to fighting the increase of government control over our lives. Our international network of pro-freedom activists works to change the political ideology of our generation through creative activism. While most youth politics supports the growth of the already bloated government bureaucracy, we fight for personal freedom, free trade and limited government." [4]
Bureaucrash has been described as "a website which provides resources and support for young right-wing activists in campaigns against public services and progressive non-governmental organizations."
"Information War"
The Bureaucrash website describes its purpose as "Information War". It argues:
- "The political war of the 21st century will be war of ideas and images. An information war. The defenders and developers of the machine state and its sprawling bureaucracy have initiated this war. Bureaucrash is a way of fighting back in this guerrilla war of ideas." [4]
- "We want to encourage and aid the development of weapons for this information war. Flyers that can be plastered in public spaces. Images that can capture an idea. Reports on demonstrations and activities that can inspire other activists. Designs that can transform a public computer into a kiosk for political information. Words and images that can spread like a virus through cyberspace." [4]
Funding
Bureaucrash was established in 2001 with funding from the now-defunct Henry Hazlitt Foundation. In March 2006 an article on CEI's website stated that "In March, Bureaucrash and CEI formed a new strategic partnership to combine the strengths of each organization to help spread the ideas of liberty." It is now funded by the CEI.[7] As of February 2008 the group's website states that "Bureaucrash is sponsored by the Competitive Enterprise Institute." No other sponsors are listed.[8]
Personnel
- Pete Eyre (Called the "Crasher-in-Chief" by the website)
Contact Details
Website: http://www.bureaucrash.com
Articles and Resources
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Bureaucrash", Bureaucrash, December 12, 2000. (This is a copy archived in the Internet Archive).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Bureaucrash: What is Bureaucrash?", Bureaucrash, August 4, 2002.
- ↑ "Q&A With Jason Talley: The Leader of the Bureaucrash Activist Network on Spreading the Ideas of [sic"], Competitive Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2006.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Indoctrination", Bureaucrash, July 8, 2007.
- ↑ "IPN Climate Skeptic meeting ends in chaos", UK Indymedia, November 30, 2004.
- ↑ Bureaucrash, Bureaucrash, accessed February 2008.
- ↑ "Q&A With Jason Talley: The Leader of the Bureaucrash Activist Network on Spreading the Ideas of [sic"], Competitive Enterprise Institute, March 17, 2006.
- ↑ Bureaucrash, Bureaucrash, accessed February 2008.
