These standards apply to every explainer, essay guide and figure on Policy Review.
Nonpartisan by method
We do not endorse parties, candidates or policies. Where a question is contested, we present the strongest version of each position in language its proponents would accept, and we separate what is established from what is argued.
Sources
Factual claims are backed by primary sources wherever possible: constitutional texts, statutes and court opinions, treaties and official documents, statistics from national and international agencies, and the original writings of the thinkers discussed. Every explainer lists its sources at the end.
Essay guides
Essay guides are new writing about an essay first published in the journal Policy Review. They summarize the argument in our own words, quote only briefly and with attribution, and always link to the original in the Hoover Institution’s archive.
The map of ideas
Our figures place each concept in the field where it is usually discussed. Placement is orientation, not judgement: a position on the map never says that a concept is better, worse, left or right.
Review and corrections
Every page shows a “last reviewed” date. We re-check pages when the underlying facts change, for example after a court ruling, a treaty or new official statistics. Corrections are noted on the page with the date of the change.