Many people have cried the death of political magazines, both conservative and liberal alike. However, this is not true! Here are the best conservative magazines currently available!
Thanks to the internet, you don’t have to be in the US to read an American political magazine. The internet has also spawned a new generation of political magazine!
As such, this list separates both the print and digital magazines from one another! Number 17 through to number 8 are print (however also have a website!) Whereas, numbers 7 through 1 are digital!
17. National Review
National Review is probably one of, if not the most famous conservative magazines! At one point in time, it was considered one of “The big three” of conservative magazines (alongside The American Spectator and American Affairs!)
It was founded in 1955 by William F. Buckley Jr. as a way to promote neoconservatism in some senses. It was a conservative magazine, but it challenged the views of the Old Right- more particularly the antiwar and noninterventionist views they held.
This style attracted many people. Originally, these people were younger highly skilled professionals, but soon many from the Old Right also flocked to the National Review!
Even after the invention of the internet, when many other magazines saw their circulation drop, the National Review continued to grow. This was aided by the release of National Review Online, which was entirely separate from the magazine!
Almost all of the content on the National Review Online doesn’t appear in the print magazine. And vice versa! Not only that, but the National Review Online is free too!
16. Commentary
Commentary focuses on many things, Judaism, politics, social issues and religion are some to name a few. You’d think that because it focuses on social issues, that it was left leaning, but no! It’s is indeed one of the best conservative magazines you could read!
In fact, Commentary did start off as left-leaning in the 1960’s, and attracted many readers. But as those readers got older, they became more conservative. So did Commentary along with them!
As such, it has a unique blend of neoconservatism that isn’t replicated anywhere else (to my knowledge!) As such, the magazine has caught the eye of many prominent conservatives and liberals, college professors, historians and countless others!
As a result, the magazine has continued to be popular even as the digital age has killed many similar magazines!
15. Salisbury Review
The Salisbury Review is a British political magazine that aims to defend “traditional conservatism”. That is to say, that the Salisbury Review supports conservatism, but a conservatism that doesn’t need to levy unrelenting attacks on the left.
Many would call this style “Paleoconservatism” however, Salisbury Review refuses to acknowledge that name. Instead, they insist on calling it “traditional conservatism”.
Like with many conservative magazines, Salisbury Review is a vehement supporter of capitalism and it staunchly Anti-Communist!
For many in the UK, the Salisbury Review is one of those magazines that speaks what they are thinking! As such, the magazine has seen many takers, and is considered to be one of the best conservative magazines in the UK!
14. Catholic Digest
When we think of conservatism, we often think of politics. But often conservatism is a way of life, not just a political philosophy. And Catholic Digest proves that!
As the name implies, Catholic Digest is a magazine aimed at Catholic Americans. If you’re looking for anything politics-related, you’re out of luck! But, if you’re looking for tips for living “The conservative lifestyle”, you might just be in luck!
However, most of the articles are full of Catholic-oriented quotes, with many of their titles featuring (Catholic) Bible-related quotes!
13. American Affairs
American Affairs is a curious case. Originally the site was built upon the failure of two previous sites during the 2016 presidential election. The founder (Julius Krein) voted for President Trump and was very pro-Trump in his magazine.
The founder then proceeds to to revoke his pro-Trump stance, going as far to write an op-ed saying how disappointed he was for voting for Trump. He has since said that the aim of the magazine is to fill the intellectual void let by the inauguration of President Trump.
This has led many conservatives ho oppose Trump to flock to American Affairs. This alone has given it a reputation for being one of the best conservative magazines ever!
12. The Spectator
Not to be confused with the similarly named and styled The American Spectator, The Spectator is also one of the best conservative magazines currently out there!
The Spectator rivals Prospect Magazine (more on them later!) in the UK for dominance. Both Prospect and The Spectator vie for the best editors and the best content, whilst all being at the heart of British conservatism!
In recent years, The Spectator has employed several key conservatives as writers and editors. The most notable of these is current British Prime Minister Boris Johnson other notable past editors have been Iain Macleod, Ian Gilmour, and Nigel Lawson.
As a general rule, if you ask a British conservative what political magazine they read, it’ probably going to be The Spectator!
11. The American Spectator
Although not related with the British magazine of a similar name, ideology an layout, The American Spectator is The Spectator’s American equivalent! Just as with its American counterpart, The Amrican spectator has featured many promenant american conservatives.
The most notable of these writers include: Thomas Sowell, Tom Wolfe, P.J. O’Rourke, George F. Will, Malcolm Gladwell, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Malcolm Muggeridge.
Similarly to its British counterpart, The American Conservative is also one of the most widely read conservative magazines in the country!
10. The Harvard Salient
As the name implies, The Harvard Salient was founded as a magazine for politically-minded Harvard students to read! The Harvard Salient is also mostly student-written, which has led to many prominent conservatives having written for the magazine in their day!
The archives alone are a treasure trove of conservative information! This alone should make it worthy of being one of the best conservative magazines!
But best of all? The Harvard Salient has produced several well known newspaper editors, including ones who now work at the NY Times!
9. Modern Age
Modern Age is probably the bulwark of paleoconservatism. Originally founded by legendary paleoconservative political commentator, Russell Kirk, you know you’re in for a treat!
Unlike many magazines on this list, Modern Age tries to bring itself above the ‘uneducated’ right. They aim to be above those who use fear to get votes and scaremongering and pseudoscience to promote ideals.
They aim to be the place where educated professionals come to be a conservative (much like us!) Modern Age hopes to be the magazine that conservatives feel proud of having under their arm, not ashamed of!
It’s for this reason that so many regard Modern Age as one of the best conservative magazines every! The fact that they’re willing to sacrifice the more ‘radical’ conservatives in order to be more conservative in the long run.
8. American Outlook
Much like Politic-Ed (more on them next!) American Outlook aims to educate the world on politics, but specifically from a conservative perspective.
American Outlook believes that people should be educated in school about politics, alongside the curriculum we are already taught.
American Outlook explains everything from current affairs to lobbying to what ICE is and anything else you might be unsure of!
7. Politic-Ed
Call me biased, but Politic-Ed is certainly one of the best conservative magazines you need to read! Politic-Ed is weekly online conservative magazine aimed at educating the world about politics!
As such, our magazine has an inventory of articles explaining political concepts. You can also find articles that explain the various different political groups of the world (as well as our opinions of them!) Including:
- CANZUK
- JUSCANZ
- EU
- G7
- And more to come!
Despite education being our primary objective, we also publish analysis and opinion articles! We will also not hesitate to expose the truth, and the hypocrisy of the left. However, we understand that these two aren’t mutually exclusive!
6. Prntly
What if I told you that Prntly originally started off as a libertarian online magazine? What if I told you that Prntly then changed its political stance? What if I told you that their content reached several people in Washington, including Donald Trump?
Within one year of launching, that’s what Prntly did! They were the first people to predict that Donald Trump would win the 2016 Presidential election. After the election however, their site became defunct.
In the wake of the 2020 Presidential Election, they have started up once again. This time, they aim to report the latest news of the 2020 Presidential Election, and hopefully sway the vote once again!
5. National Affairs
National Affairs is a very young online conservative magazine (in the grand scheme of things anyway!) However, it s success was built off the failures of two previous magazines.
Despite this, National Affairs has featured several famous board members, including Henry Kissenger! Other famous board members include: Jeane Kirkpatrick, and author Charles Murray.
Despite many of its board members (and contributors!) being Republicans and/or vehement supporters of capitalism and conservatism. National Affairs aligns itself with no one party.
In part, the magazine’s mission states “National Affairs will have a point of view, but not a party line.” And the editors are reportedly quite strict on maintaining that!
And it’s partly that ‘neutrality’- the fact that no one party can ever gain control of it! that has been the driving force in why it is os successful! And why mny regard it as one of the best conservative magazines ever!
4. Prospect Magazine
Despite operating a print magazine, Prospect Magazine is first and foremost a digital magazine. Articles are posted daily on the magazine’s website. Although not strictly politics-focused, one of Prospect’s main sections pertains to politics.
Although Prospect takes a unique stance on politics than what most other magazines do. Instead of focusing on global affairs and the impact that a certain policy or act will have on the global stage, Prospect focuses solely on the UK.
Issues such as Brexit weren’t dealt with as an international issue, but as a domestic one. The magazine only spoke of the implications of Britain and British businesses.
And this sort of writing has seen many takers indeed! In fact, Prospect Magazine is one of the most widely read magazine in all of the UK!
3. Jewish World Review
With the left becoming increasingly antisemitic, it’s often forgotten that the right is populated by Jews fleeing that antisemitism. It is this demographic, often neglected by other major magazines that spurred the creation of the Jewish World Review.
Written by Jews for Jews, the magazine is a conservative goldmine! IN the words of the editors, the site mostly appeals to “people of faith and those interested in learning more about contemporary Judaism from Jews who take their religion seriously.”
However, one doesn’t need t be a jew to enjoy the site! Excluding holy days or legal holidays, Jewish World Review publishes articles Monday through Friday!
2. The Federalist
The Federalist is one of those outlets that are akin to marmite. You either love them or you hate them (a British reference for the Americans reading this!)
The Federalist is a vehement supporter of everything Republican. Almost all Republican state senators, governors, presidents and house representatives have The Federalist’s support.
The Federalist is also a vehement critic of everything liberal or Democrat-related. Almost all Democrat senators, governors, presidents and house representatives are criticized by The Federalist. The Federalist will also criticize anyone who supports liberal or Democrat-backed policies.
As such, many conservatives have found refuge there, whilst others have not. The Federalist is also the left’s favorite attack site. However, if you are strongly conservative, you may find that their strong opinions align with your own!
1. Human Events
Despite being founded as a print magazine, Human Events became an all-digital publication in 2013! (Hence why it’s included here and not above!)
Throughout history, Human Events has been there to guide American conservatives. Unlike most other conservative magazines of its time, Human Events focused on who was reading their magazine, not the numbers. As a result, among its readers was US President Ronald Reagan (even during his presidency!)
Since then, Human Events has expanded its readership through its website, although it still prefers quality over quantity. Like most of the best conservative magazines, Human Events features a plethora of opinion essays.
Whilst most of these essays are produced in-house, many of them also come from outside contributors. This truly does give Human Events a unique stance on everything relating to politics, culture and foreign affairs!
What are the best conservative magazines in your opinion? Tell me in the comments!