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National Review is a prominent American magazine for conservative editorial content. It focuses on news and commentary regarding political, social, and cultural affairs. The publication serves as a central voice for the American right. It helps define the boundaries of conservative thought in the United States. Through its pages, the magazine promotes fusionism to unite different conservative groups.

William F. Buckley, Jr. 1985
William F. Buckley, Jr. 1985

Before the magazine launched in 1955, the American right was largely unorganized. Many people shared similar philosophies but lacked a unified public voice. They specifically wanted to marginalize the noninterventionistic views of the Old Right. In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower led a moderate Republican administration. While some large magazines were conservative, few provided a dedicated platform for this movement. Russell Kirk’s 1953 book, The Conservative Mind, helped prove a coherent tradition existed. This book deeply influenced the magazine's founder, William F. Buckley Jr.

Buckley worked with editor Will Schlamm to launch the publication. They spent two years raising $300,000 to start the weekly magazine. They originally intended to call it National Weekly. However, they changed the name to National Review due to a trademark issue. Buckley assembled an eclectic group of writers for the first issue. This group included libertarians, Catholic intellectuals, and anti-communists. Notable figures included Whittaker Chambers, a former Communist spy who became a senior editor. James Burnham also served as a senior editor and influenced the magazine's pragmatic direction.

Buckley aimed to make conservative ideas respectable in a liberal intellectual era. He famously stated the magazine "stands athwart history, yelling Stop." The magazine sought to define conservatism by excluding certain groups. Buckley worked to purge the movement of antisemitism and extreme views. He attacked the John Birch Society and described them as far from common sense. He also denounced segregationist George Wallace in the late 1960s. These actions helped establish a more mainstream identity for the movement.

During the 1960s, National Review heavily promoted Barry Goldwater. Buckley and his team played major roles in the "Draft Goldwater" movement. This effort helped spread Goldwater's vision of conservatism across the country. After Goldwater's defeat, the magazine shifted its focus toward Ronald Reagan. Reagan was a longtime subscriber to the magazine. National Review supported his 1976 challenge to Gerald Ford. It also supported his successful presidential campaign in 1980. During the 1980s, the magazine advocated for tax cuts and supply-side economics.

In more recent decades, the magazine has navigated changing political landscapes. It supported various policies, such as welfare reform in the 1990s. The publication has also expressed varied views on specific political figures. For example, it first embraced and then rejected Pat Buchanan. In 2015, the magazine published an editorial titled "Against Trump." This piece called Donald Trump a "philosophically unmoored political opportunist." Since his 2016 victory, the editorial board has continued to criticize him. However, some individual contributors have taken different, supportive positions.

Today, the magazine maintains a strong digital presence through National Review Online. This version is often called N.R.O. to distinguish it from the print magazine. The site features daily articles, conservative blogs, and news features. It includes specialized sections like "The Corner" for editor discussions. Another section, "Bench Memos," provides legal and judicial commentary. Phillip Klein serves as the site's editor. The magazine remains a significant part of the American political ecosystem.

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