The Growth of Conservative Thought

The Growth of Conservative Thought FRANK S. MEYER

No social and intellectual movement comes into being suddenly; there is always a slow preparatory period, culminating in premonitory rumblings, before the full release of creative activity signalizes the birth of a new outlook. The contemporary American conservative movement has been no exception to this historical law. It has been in being as a full-fledged movement in its present form for only ten or a dozen years. Its emergence coincides with the founding of national review ten years ago this month—a coincidence which is not accidental, for such a journal could not have been successfully launched, it would have found neither the readers nor the writers, were it not that the conservative movement was ready to burgeon.

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Frank S. Meyer

Frank S. Meyer was a senior editor of National Review.

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William F. Buckley Jr.

The Growth of Conservative Thought FRANK S. MEYER

No social and intellectual movement comes into being suddenly; there is always a slow preparatory period, culminating in premonitory rumblings, before the full release of creative activity signalizes the birth of a new outlook. The contemporary American conservative movement has been no exception to this historical law. It has been in being as a full-fledged movement in its present form for only ten or a dozen years. Its emergence coincides with the founding of national review ten years ago this month—a coincidence which is not accidental, for such a journal could not have been successfully launched, it would have found neither the readers nor the writers, were it not that the conservative movement was ready to burgeon.