The Conservative Movement

More about the book

In the early '90s, conservative commentators began to highlight the fragmentation within the American political and intellectual Right. From the postwar emergence of intellectual dissidents responding to the Soviet threat to the Reagan era's New Right coalition of journalists, politicians, and lobbyists, the conservative movement has been marked by a complex interplay of ideologies and factions. In this revised study, Paul Gottfried offers an insider's perspective on the various factions, controversies, personalities, and rival journals within the movement. He contends that journalists have misrepresented the scope of conflicts on the Right, often favoring moderates while underestimating the strength and intelligence of paleoconservatives. The book features a detailed examination of conservative foundations and think tanks, revealing previously unpublished insights into funding and control dynamics. Gottfried also explores the implications of the 1992 electoral campaign for the Right, including paleocon Pat Buchanan's controversial Republican nomination bid and the shift of several leading neocons to Bill Clinton's camp. This work is essential for anyone seeking to understand the intricate landscape of conservatism and its future.