While many of the driving themes of the various coalition members of the American conservative movement have been more philosophical in nature, quantitative research in to the public policies created across the array of government levels (from cities to the federal government) is important in fully understanding the movement. Analysis of public policies which reveal “crowding out”, “unintended consequences”, “rent seeking” and other adverse consequences of government involvement in the public square, regularly demonstrate the importance of a conservative approach to policy-making. At the same time, knowing when policy prescriptions have become purely ideological and devoid of analytical support is vital in keeping the movement accountable are regularly refreshed with new ideas.