The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945 by George H. Nash Summary

The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America Since 1945 chronicles the development of conservative thought and ideology from the end of World War II through the present day. Nash examines how disparate conservative factions—including traditionalists, libertarians, and anti-communists—coalesced into a unified intellectual movement, particularly through the leadership of William F. Buckley Jr. and National Review magazine.

This book is essential for political science students, historians, conservative activists, and anyone seeking to understand American political thought. It's particularly valuable for readers interested in how intellectual movements shape politics, the history of conservative ideas, and the evolution of American political coalitions since World War II.

Absolutely. Considered a foundational work in its field, this book has been twice revised and expanded since its 1976 publication. It has been translated into Spanish, adopted twice by the Conservative Book Club, and remains the definitive account of how modern American conservatism developed intellectually.

George H. Nash is a Harvard-trained historian (PhD 1973) and independent scholar specializing in American conservatism and Herbert Hoover biography. He has written extensively for major publications including The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and The New York Times Book Review, and received the Richard M. Weaver Prize for Scholarly Letters in 2008.

Fusionism refers to the coalition-building strategy that united different conservative factions in the 1950s under William F. Buckley Jr.'s leadership. Nash explains how traditionalists, libertarians, and anti-communists overcame their ideological differences to create a unified conservative movement, despite their distinct origins and sometimes conflicting priorities.

According to Nash, Buckley and his magazine National Review served as the "flagship journal" and "command center" for conservative coalition-building. The magazine became instrumental in devising strategies for advancing conservative principles and philosophy, helping to unite previously disparate conservative intellectual factions into a cohesive movement.

While universally respected as foundational scholarship, some critics note that Nash focuses primarily on intellectual figures rather than grassroots movements or political leaders like Goldwater and Reagan. The book's academic approach may also be dense for casual readers seeking a more accessible introduction to conservative thought.

Nash emphasizes that American conservatism "has never been univocal" and "has never been a monolith". He argues that current fractures and tensions within conservatism are part of a long historical pattern, not a new phenomenon, helping readers understand that ideological debates have always characterized the conservative movement.

Unlike books focusing on political figures, Nash concentrates specifically on intellectuals, scholars, publicists, and journalists who created "an intellectual movement with political aspirations". This approach reveals how ideas and publications shaped conservative politics rather than just examining electoral politics or policy outcomes.

Nash's analysis helps explain contemporary conservative debates by showing their historical roots and intellectual foundations. Understanding how different conservative factions historically negotiated their differences provides crucial context for interpreting current political realignments and ideological tensions within the American right.