William F. Buckley kept the gate. Today, the rank-and-file must
In the 1955 National Review mission statement, William F. Buckley makes a brief mention of “the irresponsible Right.” The use of such a phrase suggests Buckley well understood that no movement can be effective in its broader vision if it does not have the means to hedge within the margins of philosophical and intellectual fellowship.
TL;DR
- William F. Buckley understood the need for 'gatekeepers' to maintain philosophical coherence within conservative movements.
- Traditional gatekeeping involved building institutions and promoting authoritative voices, which led to the success of the early conservative movement.
- The digital age has democratized information, allowing individuals to easily find content that confirms their biases and undermining traditional gatekeeping.
- Populists often deride gatekeeping, advocating for a 'no enemies to the right' stance.
- The conservative movement must adapt by empowering the rank-and-file to become 'conscious conservatives' who can think critically.
- The new role of a gatekeeper involves teaching reason and rhetoric, not just presenting ideas.
- The failure of previous gatekeepers necessitates a grassroots approach to rebuilding the movement's philosophical foundation.