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It was Archimedes who declared, “Give me a firm standpoint and I will move the world.” The intention of Standpoint is to provide a lever which can indeed move the world, by invoking the noblest ideals to which humanity has aspired. Free speech and a free press; the dignity of the individual and the family; the liberty to worship and to refrain from worship; scientific inquiry limited only by respect for human life; the rule of law; parliamentary democracy and the free market; human rights balanced by reciprocal duties; toleration of minority views and practices, but not at the price of moral relativism.

Such principles are universal in application, though not in origin: they emerged from the unique confluence of ancient (Classical and Judaeo-Christian), medieval and modern thought that we call Western civilisation. We take for granted the values and achievements of this civilisation, but it is dangerous to assume either that these values are indeed universally shared, or that our achievements cannot be turned against us. We have seen not only our technology but our laws and liberties, too, exploited by the enemies of the open society. As it dawns on us that the West is vulnerable, its adversaries gloat, while its champions often feel despondent.

Standpoint, however, intends to be a beacon of hope. Western civilisation continues to disseminate its — overwhelmingly benign — influence, while absorbing those of other cultures. In the pages of Standpoint readers will find reflected the best, not only of the West, but also of the rest. There are so many achievements, past and present, that we should celebrate but rarely do. We hope readers will enjoy Standpoint online at www.standpointmag.co.uk as well as in print, and that you will write to the editor to give us a lively letters page for our next issue. Above all, we intend this magazine to cheer our readers up — to entertain as well as to inform. Among the greatest blessings of freedom is a sense of humour.

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Eddie
September 6th, 2009
4:09 PM
I think that this is wonderful project for the magazine - I will be keeping up to date with it :) Eddie Glorioso

Dr J
January 14th, 2009
1:01 AM
Remember what is most important: those who disagree with you (Eurotrash and Kiwis) should aspirate and then asphyxiate. A fitting end to moral relativists and Islamofascists.

Albert Judd
July 7th, 2008
12:07 PM
I welcome the start of an intelligent magazine. The mission to "defend and celebrate Western civilization" is particularly praiseworthy. However, your statement of principles contains some points that may be at odds with your stated aim. "Free speech and a free press" - wonderful. "The dignity of the individual and the family" - Ah. 'I want to defend the dignity of my family by executing my slut of a daughter. Will 'Standpoint' support me'? "the liberty to worship and to refrain from worship" - interesting. "scientific enquiry limited only by respect for human life" - Ah. So, the liberty to worship is not to be limited by respect for human life, as science is. The mullas among us (moslem and christian) should all subscribe to that. Science, on the other hand, is to be so limited. Really, if you wanted to start a magazine for religious enthusiasts who want to limit scientific enquiry, you should put it on your masthead. I would guess you didn't really mean to give that impression. How about some clarification on this rather important point? "the rule of law" - good. "parliamentary democracy" - OK, but don't you care about hurting Americans' feelings? "the free market" - excellent. "human rights balanced by reciprocal duties" - good, but is there a hidden agenda here that I am missing? "toleration of minority views and practices, but not at the price of moral relativism" - Ugh, that moral relativism! No way! "These ideas come from ancient, medieval and modern thought that we call Western civilization." - great. But wait a minute, what is that in parentheses? "Judeo-Christian"? What is that? One thing it is not, is the origin of western civilization. It has more the ring of a desperate historical sleight of hand with the aim of reassuring an ignorant and easily flattered Jewish reader (sponsor?) that his views are taken seriously. Of course, they should be, if he supports free speech, the rule of law, democracy, human rights, etc. And then there is the bit about limiting science and not religion.... Anyway, lots of luck in your new publishing venture, and even more luck in refining your basic principles.

Ruslanas from Lithuania
June 2nd, 2008
12:06 PM
What an amazing project! The Western world is craving for such a magazine. You have mentioned 9/11. However, the other side of the Western civilisation should not be forgotten. Despite the fact of membership in the Western Club, the Baltic States are often feel neglected by our Western colleagues. Those three states often left alone to face the new threats from the authoritarian Russia. The West is not willing to acknowledge that the Russian information sphere is ‘rolling back’ to the Baltic States. Therefore, new ideas and new encouragement is needed in the last boundary of the West bordering Russia. Such magazine is needed as an air!

Anonymous
June 1st, 2008
6:06 PM
Western Civilization's influence is not merely benign; it is gloriously beneficent. It has provided unexampled prosperity; it has improved itself and progressively diluted and purged its own worst elements; it is has advanced learning and realized for many the hope of a life that is neither nasty nor brutish nor short; it has nurtered the sciences and the useful and fine arts to a degree that astonishes the neophyte who approaches them. Unlike other systems, its survival relies on a paradox: it is the most virtuous, not the most brutal, who are most successful at using force to defend it. Those admirable soldiers are the envy of the world, and can defeat the enemy not just by force but by hope which wins his putative allies and makes them our friends. Our enemies want many things, but one thing binds them together: the need to make the world safe for barbarism. For only under barbarism can they thrive in the life they have chosen. We must see clearly what they want for us and work to deny them their goals at every step.

Isaac (USA)
May 31st, 2008
2:05 PM
What a wonderful statement of purpose! I'll be reading and watching this project with great interest. The best of luck to you.

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