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Magazines : The New RepublicIn association with Amazon.comRating:  - New format is less satisfying.The New Republic is one of the oldest political opinion magazines in the United States. Last year, along with new ownership, the editors changed the format of the magazine from weekly to bi-weekly, increasing the page count, changing the font, and switching to glossy cover stock. While always a magazine of the left, the New Republic has had a history of centrism and occasional flirtations with the right. The storied editorship of Michael Kinsley in the 80's is considered by many to be the magazines high point. The recent changes in format, ownership, and editorial direction has accompanied a stronger shift to the left than in recent years and I feel that the magazine has lost some of its intellectual vigor and has descended into blatant partisanship. I started reading the magazine in the last few months of the old format and absolutely loved it. With the change in format and Peter Beinert's departure there was a noticeable change in the tone of the magazine: decidedly shrill and more strident. Jonathan Chait's horrendous editorials come to mind. Name calling substituted for honest debate does not help either. To compare with other publications on the Left, The New Republic as it used to be conveyed a more intellectual tone similar to Dissent. Now it is more radical like The Nation and The Progressive but without the passion and intellectual dedication. As a conservative I enjoy reading the opinions of the opposition but only if they are presented with intelligence and seriousness. All in all the New Republic is not too bad a publication taken on its own but if you really enjoyed the magazine as it was you will be sorely disappointed. If you are new to the magazine and are looking for something different then I would cautiously recommend it but one would probably be better off sifting through the issues as they come out at the newsstand and only buy the better ones. |
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