Matthew Continetti, a Free Press columnist and author of *The Right*, discusses the centennial of William F. Buckley Jr., a key figure in American conservatism. He explores Buckley's transformative influence and philosophical battles, contrasting it with today's politicized climate under Donald Trump. The dialogue delves into Buckley's legacy regarding race and civil rights, his founding of National Review, and the ideological divide within conservatism today, advocating for a return to civility and thoughtful dissent.
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Buckley Founded American Conservatism
William F. Buckley Jr. built the American conservative movement by opposing the New Deal welfare state and communism during the Cold War.
His magazine, National Review, stood "athwart history yelling stop" to defend conservative principles.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Buckley's Southern Influence Story
Buckley's family connection to the South influenced his progressive white segregationist views in the 1950s.
A Black man whose father worked for the Buckleys recalled enduring discrimination but later acknowledged the Buckleys helped provide opportunities for his family.
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Buckley Expels Extremists for Strategy
Buckley purged the John Birch Society when its extremism threatened the conservative movement's credibility.
He prioritized building a winning movement over defending all right-wing factions indiscriminately.
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Published in 1954, this book provides a detailed analysis of the McCarthy era, focusing on the State Department security policies of the 1940s and McCarthy’s public cases. The authors defend McCarthy where the record supports him and criticize him where he overstepped. The book also critiques the Tydings Committee, arguing it was unfair and untruthful. It discusses the appropriate standards for national security employment and the balance between security risks and individual rights.
Suicide of the west
How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics Is Destroying American Democracy
Jonah Goldberg
In 'Suicide of the West,' Jonah Goldberg argues that the principles of liberal democracy and capitalism, which he terms 'the Miracle,' are under threat from various forms of illiberalism. He contends that the West's prosperity and political stability are not inevitable but rather the result of unique historical and philosophical developments. Goldberg warns that complacency and the erosion of these principles due to partisanship, polarization, and identity politics could lead to democratic decline. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the achievements of Western civilization and the need to rediscover and uphold its founding ideals to prevent its downfall.
The New Right
A Journey to the Fringe of American Politics
Michael Malice
Michael Malice's "The New Right" delves into the complexities of the American right-wing, exploring its various factions and ideologies. The book examines the historical evolution of the movement, tracing its roots and influences. Malice analyzes key figures and their impact on the political landscape. He also discusses the role of social media and other factors in shaping the contemporary right. The book offers a critical yet insightful perspective on the American right, challenging conventional narratives and prompting further discussion.
God and man at Yale
the superstitions of "academic freedom"
William F. Buckley
Written in 1951, God and Man at Yale is a critical examination of Yale University's undergraduate education by William F. Buckley Jr., who had just graduated from the institution. The book argues that Yale's faculty were undermining the university's founding ethos of Christian humanism by promoting atheism, collectivism, and Keynesian economics. Buckley criticized specific courses and professors for their hostility to religion and individualism, suggesting that this was a betrayal of the values held by Yale's alumni. The book is considered a seminal work in the American conservative movement and had a significant impact on Buckley's career and public profile.
William F. Buckley, one of the founding fathers of the American right, would have turned 100 this year. He, more than any other figure, is responsible for creating the American conservative movement that fueled the Reagan revolution more than 40 years ago. But what happened to that revolution in the era of Donald Trump?
Producers:
Alex Miller, Bobby Moriarty, Poppy Damon
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