How well do Americans really understand monarchy, constitutionalism, and the actual causes of the American Revolution?

In this episode of Modern Age, editor Dan McCarthy peels back the mythology to explore the deep historical roots of the American system—going back to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the rise of the Whigs and Tories, and what those debates teach us about executive power, liberalism, and today’s populist backlash.

With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaching in 2026, now is the time to confront the foundational question:
Was America founded as a liberal nation?

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What explains the growing divide between older and younger conservatives?

In this episode, Modern Age editor Dan McCarthy explores the ideological, cultural, and economic rifts between the Reagan-Buckley generation and Gen Z conservatives.

Is this a generational clash or the start of a new conservative movement?

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On the centennial of William F. Buckley Jr.’s birth, Dan McCarthy revisits the towering legacy of the man who shaped postwar American conservatism.

From founding National Review and leading ISI, to defining the modern Right’s anti-communist and anti-statist battles, Buckley was instrumental in reshaping American political discourse. But what did he truly conserve—and how should today’s conservatives evaluate his legacy?

In this episode of Modern Age, Dan explores:

-Buckley's early America First views and Cold War transformation
-The founding of ISI and National Review
-His battles against the New Deal and welfare state
-The culture wars in higher education
-Buckley's complex role in defining conservative orthodoxy
-His later reflections on Reagan, foreign policy, and conservatism's direction

Was Buckley a gatekeeper—or a unifier? And what can we learn from his successes and shortcomings in today’s very different political landscape?

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https://firstthings.com/the-rights-thirty-year-war/

https://modernagejournal.com/the-last-word-on-william-f-buckley-jr-sam-tanenhaus-review/253620/