Research Guides: Magazines of Commentary & Opinion

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Magazines with a Political Viewpoint

NATIONAL REVIEW; a Journal of Fact and Opinion --- Generally considered the leading conservative magazine. Pointedly right-wing editorials. Excellent writing on national and international political issues. Biweekly. 1955.

NEW REPUBLIC; a Journal of Opinion --- A liberal news magazine with emphasis on American social and political reform and renewal. Provides international news analysis, and has a reputation for quality writing and evenhanded reporting. Weekly. 1914.

THE NATION --- Generally considered the leading liberal magazine. Excellent writing on scholarly news analysis, foreign affairs, local and national politics, education, and law. Oldest continuously published weekly in the U.S. Weekly. 1865.

NEW SCIENTIST (British) --- Offers comprehensive coverage on a wide range of science-related fields and topics, news briefs, editorial and opinion pieces. Liberal viewpoint. Weekly. 1965.

THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY --- Liberal leaning emphasizing social issues, devoted to politics, society, the arts, and culture. 1857.

HARPER’S MAGAZINE --- Publishes original fiction, essays, cultural and political commentary, selections of notable statistics, and brief reprints of unusual, controversial or illuminating writings to serve as readings in contemporary society. Moderate liberal. 1850.

MOTHER JONES --- Liberal counterpoint to the conservative media. Advances progressive causes. 1976.

MS --- News magazine with strong liberal feminist activist stance. 1972.

PROGRESSIVE --- Liberal perspective, in-depth analysis and commentary on political, economic and social issues, excellent political cartoons. 1909.

Politically Alternative Magazines

PROGRESSIVE (Madison) --- Investigative reporting, analysis, and commentary on political, economic, and social issues, culture, and the arts. Articles tend to take a stand and often mix humor with insight. Monthly. 1909.

SOJOURNERS --- Progressive Christian commentary on faith, culture, and politics; seeks to build a movement for spiritual discussion and social justicee. Bimonthly. 1971.

Religiously Political Magazines

CHRISTIAN CENTURY; an Ecumenical weekly (Protestant) --- Offers moderate to liberal opinions and news as well as views on religion, culture, and world affairs. 1900.

COMMONWEAL (Catholic) --- More aggressive views on politics, public affairs, religion, literature, media, culture, society, and the arts. 1924.

AMERICA (Catholic) --- Weekly coverage of religious, political, ethical, and social issues. Also includes reviews of the arts and literature. 1909.

COMMENTARY; journal of significant thought and opinion on contemporary issues (Jewish) --- Conservative to moderate perspective on general interest topics with focus on discussion of Jewish concerns in the United States and abroad. Monthly. 1945.

CHRISTIANITY TODAY (Protestant) --- Leading voice for evangelical Christianity on religious, political and social issues. 1956.

HUMANIST; a magazine of critical inquiry and social concern (Non-theistic) --- Secular humanist, naturalistic strong voice on social concerns asserting individual liberty and human responsibility for its own destiny. 1941.

FIRST THINGS; the Journal of Religion and Public Life (Interreligious) --- Wide range of Judeo-Christian perspectives to advance a religiously informed public philosophy from a neoconservative to moderate point of view. 1990.

Other Significant Magazines

NEW LEADER; a Bi-monthly of News and Opinion --- A literary magazine, strong in literature and culture, but also provides news and opinions. Liberal viewpoint. Bimonthly. 1927.

AUDUBON --- Reflects environmental interests and focuses on the need for conservation. 1899.

BULLETIN OF THE ATOMIC SCIENTISTS: magazine of science and world affairs --- Analysis of world conflict, dedicated to the elimination of the threat of nuclear war, presenting both sides of the political scene. 1945.

UTNE READER; the best of the alternative media --- Provides a digest of materials reprinted from alternative and independent media. 1984.

CONGRESSIONAL DIGEST --- In-depth coverage of the pros and cons of public policy issues. Well balanced treatment of currently important and controversial issues. 1921.

WASHINGTON MONTHLY --- political analysis that stays ahead of trends in the capitol. Boldness in taking on anyone or anything with a logic and wit that is hard to refute. 1969.

Updated 8/07