WIXLIB

“Consider the Source”A Resource Guide to Liberal, Conservative and NonpartisanPeriodicals30 East Lake Street Chicago, IL 60601HWC Library – Room 501312.553.5760

Ever heard the saying “consider the source” in response to something that was questioned? Well, thesame advice applies to what you read – consider the source. When conducting research, bear in mindthat periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers) may have varying points-of-view, biases, and/orpolitical leanings. Here are some questions to ask when considering using a periodical source: Is there a bias in the publication or is it non-partisan?Who is the sponsor (publisher or benefactor) of the publication?What is the agenda of the sponsor – to simply share information or to influence social orpolitical change?Some publications have specific political perspectives and outright state what they are, as in DissentMagazine (self-described as “a magazine of the left”) or National Review’s boost of, “we give you theright view and back it up.” Still, there are other publications that do not clearly state their politicalleanings; but over time have been deemed as left- or right-leaning based on such factors as the pointsof-view of their opinion columnists, the make-up of their editorial staff, and/or their endorsements ofpoliticians. Many newspapers fall into this rather opaque category.A good rule of thumb to use in determining whether a publication is liberal or conservative has beenprovided by Media Research Center’s L. Brent Bozell III: “if the paper never met a conservative cause itdidn’t like, it’s conservative, and if it never met a liberal cause it didn’t like, it’s liberal.”Outlined in the following pages is an annotated listing of publications that have been categorized asconservative, liberal, non-partisan and religious. Some of the terms used to describe these publicationswill contain the following: Magazine – a periodical for general reading containing articles, photographs and stories on avariety of subjects. Peer Reviewed – this descriptor indicates that manuscripts submitted to a magazine or articlessubmitted to a journal publication are examined by the editor and one or more specialists(peers) in the specific field before approval is given to publish the information. The term“refereed” is used interchangeably with “peer reviewed.” Scholarly Journal – a periodical (usually academic) containing articles or research informationwritten by scholars and/or experts in a particular subject field.As always, if you have questions or need assistance with your research projects, please ask a librarian.Prepared by HWC Reference LibrariansLast Updated: January 20111

anReligiousPerspectiveEconomy and SocietyCato JournalForeign AffairsAl-TawhidA scholarly, peer-reviewed journalfocused on progressive political,economic, and social issues inEurope, North America, Australiaand the Pacific.This libertarian-leaning journalcovers public policy issues on SocialSecurity, monetary, naturalresources, and military spending.http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/A refereed scholarly journalpublished by the Council onForeign Relations (a nonprofit,nonpartisan organization)provides serious discussion ofAmerican foreign policy andinternational affairs.(Islamic)A quarterly journal of Islamicthought and culture published byThe Foundation of e National Interest (TNI)Public Opinion QuarterlyNew PoliticsA 200-page semi-annual that is anindependent socialist forum fordialogue and debate on the left,which “insists on the centrality ofdemocracy to socialism and on theneed to rely on mass movementsfrom below for progressive rgPolitics and SocietyThrough a Marxist/ post-Marxistperspective, this journal focuses onissues of state, class analysis,politics of gender, and the future ofcapitalism and socialism.http://pas.sagepub.com/Science and SocietyThe longest continuously publishedMarxist scholarly journal in theworld, Science and Society focuseson social and political theory,economics, philosophy, and theserious analysis of con-temporarysocieties.Telos: A Quarterly Journal ofCritical ThoughtsA journal of internationaldiscussions on political, social,academic, religious and culturalchange in Europe and the U. S., andthe state of US-European relations.http://journal.telospress.com/This journal contains strongconservative and libertarianwritings on American foreign policyand politics.http://www.nationalinterest.org/Policy ReviewThis journal presents articles ofserious thinking on the Americancondition, the workings ofgovernment, and political andeconomic eviewThe Public Interest (PI)A self-described neoconservativejournal that spotlights articles ondomestic policy regardingeducation, welfare, housing,poverty, politics and culture.Publication ceased in April, 2005,however, it’s complete archives areavailable online via this website:http://www.nationalaffairs.com/archive /public interest/default.aspA peer-reviewed academicjournal that is among the mostfrequently cited journals of itskind. Most beneficial toacademicians and all socialscience researchers, it providesarticles analyzing trends andproblems in public opinionresearch.The Washington Quarterly(TWQ)Worldwide contributors to thisjournal reflect diverse political,regional, and professionalperspectives on topics of the U.S.role in the world, reducingterrorism, emerging great powersand the implications of globalpolitical change.http://www.twq.com/Wilson Quarterly (WQ)Though self-described as amagazine, this publication hasthe tone and characteristics of ajournal that provides a nonpartisan, non-ideological focus onissues in politics and policy,culture, religion, science, andother fields that impact useaction wq.welcomePrepared by HWC Reference LibrariansLast Updated: January 2011Commonweal(Catholic)Self-described as, “the oldestindependent lay Catholic journalof opinion in the United States,”Commonweal covers issues onreligion, politics, public affairs,literature, the arts, and social andcultural issues.http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/Modern Judaism(Jewish)Published by Oxford UniversityPress, topics pertinent to theunderstanding of Jewish lifetoday are discussed throughdistinctive, ls/modern judaism/2

sanNews & OpinionReligiousPerspectiveThe American ProspectThe American Conservative (TAC)Business WeekAmericaA magazine for the general reader,that presents a moderate left-wingview on liberal philosophy, politicsand public life.www.prospect.orgThis monthly right-wing opinionmagazine, founded in part byPatrick J. Buchanan, represents apaleoconservative (traditionalist,anti-federalism, religious) and attimes libertarian voice on domesticand international political issues.http://www.amconmag.com/Considered a market leader, thisnews magazine focuses onindustries, companies, politicalissues, legal issues, informationtechnology and c)A weekly magazine intended “forthinking Catholics and those whowant to know what Catholics arethinking,” covers religious,political, ethical and social issuesfrom the Jesuit Catholicperspective.www.americamagazine.orgThe Economist (British)Christianity TodayAn easy-to-read, Britishperspective weekly news-paper(that looks like a magazine), TheEconomist contains wellrespected and authoritativeinformation on 16 newscategories, including worldpolitics, global business, financeand economics, science andtechnology, and the arts.www.economist.com(Christian)A monthly magazine thatprovides insight and analysis froma Christian perspective, onrelevant news, trends, and eventsof the day.www.christianitytoday.comDissentA quarterly magazine of the left thatcovers politics and culture, Dissentcontains well-written articles of leftliberal and social-democraticopinions. It is a magazine ofindependent minds and strongopinions.www.dissentmagazine.orgMonthly ReviewThis scholarly, independent socialistmagazine covers issues against U.S.imperialism, including workers andlabor organizers against classexploitation and racial and sexualoppressions.www.monthlyreview.orgThe American SpectatorThis libertarian-conservativemagazine provides articles oncurrent issues regarding politics, thegovernment, the economy andmilitary activities.www.spectator.orgChronicles: A Magazine ofAmerican CultureThis monthly, ultra-conservativeopinion magazine makes defendingWestern Christian civilization, localsovereignty and political, cultural,and economic autonomy its s (Canadian)Proclaiming itself, “Canada’s onlynational weekly current affairsmagazine,” Maclean’s providesinvestigative reporting oninternational and social issues,national politics, business, andculture.http://www2.macleans.caThe Humanist(Non-Theistic)A bimonthly magazine publishedby the American HumanistAssociation, The Humanist takesa non-theistic, secular andnaturalistic approach to topics onthe environment, civil liberties,human rights, internationalrelations and other contemporarysocial concerns.www.thehumanist.orgTikkunMother JonesNational ReviewNew Republic (TNR)An independent nonprofitprogressive publication focused oncoverage of social justice, anticorporate and environmentalissues.www.motherjones.comIn addition to pointedly right-wingeditorials, this bi-monthlyconservative magazine featuresshort articles on current interestissues, a longer feature article, andreviews of the arts.www.nationalreview.comA nonpartisan, inside-the-Beltwaypublication that provides evenhanded coverage of currentissues regarding U. S. politics,foreign policy and culture.www.tnr.comPrepared by HWC Reference LibrariansLast Updated: January 2011(Jewish)A bimonthly magazine focused onsocial theory, religion/spirituality,social change, contemporaryAmerican and global politics andeconomics, ecology, culture,psychology, and Israel/ Palestine.www.tikkun.org3

Magazines Continued:(Left / Liberal)(Right / Conservative)(Non-Partisan)The NationThe New AmericanNewsweekAn openly left-wing publication thatcovers a wide range of currentissues via concise articles andmultiple short editorials.www.thenation.comSelf-described as, “an essentialnews source for freedom-lovingAmericans,” this bi-monthly JohnBirch Society publication presentsnews and commentary from adecidedly right-wing,fundamentalist Christianperspective. Its primary goal is toexpose the behind-the-scenesactivities shaping American politicsand culture.www.thenewamerican.comOne of three major newsweekliesin the United States (Newsweek,Time, and U.S. News & WorldReport), this magazine coverscurrent events and issues in theU. S. and world.www.newsweek.comNew Statesman (British)A weekly magazine focusedprimarily on news and politics ofgreatest interest in the UnitedKingdom, where the content isroughly divided 60% news and 40%politics.www.newstatesman.comThe ProgressiveThis monthly magazine isconsidered a journalistic voice forpeace, social and economic justice,civil rights and liberties, humanrights and the environment.www.progressive.orgThe Weekly StandardThis weekly magazine providesright-wing articles on Washington,D.C. politics and government topicsin America and around the world.www.weeklystandard.comTimeOne of the standard newsweeklies in the United States, thismagazine covers current eventsand issues in the U.S. and world.www.time.comU. S. News & World ReportOne of the three majornewsweeklies in the UnitedStates (and considered a bit moreconservative than Time andNewsweek), this magazineprovides serious reporting oncurrent events and issues in theU.S. and the world.www.usnews.comPrepared by HWC Reference LibrariansLast Updated: January 20114