Review: Frank S. Meyer's Fusionism Melded Classical Liberalism With Traditional Religion
With The Man Who Invented Conservatism: The Unlikely Life of Frank S. Meyer, Daniel J. Flynn has produced a biography valuable to both political novices and serious students of the conservative movement.
Laymen will gain from the introduction to Meyer, a once influential but now largely forgotten mid–20th century editor at National Review, and to the “fusionist” philosophy he articulated in his columns and passed on to countless young people who later became leaders of the American right. That philosophy, which combines classical liberalism with traditional religion, is all but synonymous with conservatism as the word (at least until recently) was understood in the United States. “Millions of Americans adopted it as their political creed,” Flynn writes, “knowing neither the name Frank Meyer nor the word fusionism.”
But even readers who are already steeped in conservative intellectual history will learn much from Flynn’s book, which offers the first detailed portrait of Meyer’s colorful early life as a playboy and Communist Party operative before his defection from the left. These insights are drawn from Meyer’s papers (everything from telephone bills and birth certificates to correspondence with Barry Goldwater and Rose Wilder Lane) that Flynn heroically unearthed.
The couple who purchased Meyer’s farmhouse after his death believed they had long ago sent his papers to the Hoover Institution archives. Flynn, realizing they must be mistaken, dug through more than 600 boxes of their belongings to find the 15 that were relevant to his task. The contents of those boxes, which had for decades sat moldering in an Altoona, Pennsylvania, warehouse, told the story of how Meyer went “from communist to conservative, peace activist to soldier, Jew to Catholic…and free-love enthusiast to family man,” helping to form many of America’s most influential conservative institutions along the way.
The post Review: Frank S. Meyer’s Fusionism Melded Classical Liberalism With Traditional Religion appeared first on Reason.com.
Source: https://reason.com/2025/11/21/the-man-who-invented-conservatism/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,754,145,388 |
| Stories: | 8,542,797 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
