We the People William F. Buckley and the Intellectual History of American Conservatism
13 snips
Jan 1, 2026 
Sam Tanenhaus, a prize-winning biographer, joins Matthew Continetti, author and conservatism expert, to delve into the life of William F. Buckley and the transformation of American conservatism. They explore Buckley’s early ideas, his strategic founding of National Review, and the impact of populism on conservative identity. The conversation highlights Buckley’s nuanced relationships with figures like McCarthy and Reagan, his complex views on race, and sparks intriguing discussions about whether he'd recognize today’s GOP. A deep dive into conservatism’s rich and contentious legacy!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Buckley’s Aristocratic Conservative Origins
- William F. Buckley was an intellectual prodigy who began public life defending Charles Lindbergh's isolationism in 1941.
- That early stance framed Buckley as a cultured aristocratic conservative opposing mainstream opinion.
How The New Deal Forged Movement Conservatism
- The New Deal and the Soviet threat fused disparate right-wing thinkers into a cohesive conservative movement after 1932.
- Conservatism crystallized as opposition to Roosevelt's domestic expansion and to Soviet communism abroad.
God and Man At Yale: Early Stakes
- Buckley wrote God and Man at Yale at 25 and attacked the liberal establishment from inside the elite.
- He strategically embraced expanded government temporarily to defeat Soviet totalitarianism.
