A Statement
by
the Editors
The country is now actually at war. PARTISAN REVIEW, while pri·
marily a cultural magazine, has always been concerned with politics. A
question, therefore, as to our ·future editorial policy naturally arises.
For some time, as recent issues of the magazine have made clear, the
editors have disagreed on major political questions. The complexity of the
world situation, indeed, is reflected in the fact that no two editors hold the
same position on all major issues. The actual outbreak of hostilities has not
altered this line-up. It is clear, therefore, that PARTISAN REVIEW can
have no editorial line on the war. Its editors will continue to express
themselves on the issue as individuals.
We believe that a magazine like PARTISAN REVIEW cannot under–
take to present the kind of programmatic guidance one expects of a
political party. Our main task now is to preserve cultural values against
all types of pressure and coercion. Obviously we cannot even speak of the
survival of democratic civilization apart from the survival of our entire
cultural tradition. This includes the fullest freedom of expression on
political matters. All of us can at least agree on this: that in times like
these it is a necessity, not a luxury, for PARTISAN REVIEW to continue
to give space to radical-in the literal sense of "going to the roots"–
analysis of social issues and the war. No intelligent decisions can be made
without a full consideration of alternatives.
2
CLEMENT GREENBERG
DWIGHT MACDONALD
GEORGE L. K. MORRIS
WILLIAM PHILLIPS
PHILIP RAHV
