The Great 20th-Century Handoff

NATIONAL REVIEW was described 15 years ago at our 35th-anniversary dinner by George Will as “the most consequential journal of opinion ever.” Characteristically, Mr. Will did not exaggerate. NR had midwifed the birth of the American conservative movement, nursed it through its infant Goldwater setback, helped it install the great Reagan presidency, and thus played a crucial part in winning the Cold War and liberating half the world. These were vital historical achievements that nothing can dim. Indeed, from the standpoint of 1989 and the years immediately following, they were the most significant achievements of the 20th century. All of NR’s editors and contributors, Bill Buckley above all, can feel proud of what their writings helped to achieve.

As the 20th century itself recedes into history, however, the totalitarian epoch begins to seem a diversion from more persistent international trends. These include the rise of India and China, the relative decline of Europe, the threat of terrorism, the spread of free trade and globalization, and the emergence of the United States as global hegemon-the policeman, banker, and consumer of last resort. Judged against this longer timescale, the most significant event of the 20th century was the transfer of this unique world authority from the British Empire to the American republic.

About the Author

John O’Sullivan

John O’Sullivan is a senior fellow at National Review Institute and a contributing editor of National Review.

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NATIONAL REVIEW was described 15 years ago at our 35th-anniversary dinner by George Will as “the most consequential journal of opinion ever.” Characteristically, Mr. Will did not exaggerate. NR had midwifed the birth of the American conservative movement, nursed it through its infant Goldwater setback, helped it install the great Reagan presidency, and thus played a crucial part in winning the Cold War and liberating half the world. These were vital historical achievements that nothing can dim. Indeed, from the standpoint of 1989 and the years immediately following, they were the most significant achievements of the 20th century. All of NR’s editors and contributors, Bill Buckley above all, can feel proud of what their writings helped to achieve.

As the 20th century itself recedes into history, however, the totalitarian epoch begins to seem a diversion from more persistent international trends. These include the rise of India and China, the relative decline of Europe, the threat of terrorism, the spread of free trade and globalization, and the emergence of the United States as global hegemon-the policeman, banker, and consumer of last resort. Judged against this longer timescale, the most significant event of the 20th century was the transfer of this unique world authority from the British Empire to the American republic.