Telos
An independent, quarterly peer-reviewed journal of politics, philosophy, critical theory, and contemporary social and cultural issues.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Telos is an independent academic and intellectual journal established in May 1968 by Paul Piccone and fellow working-class philosophy students at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Although its origins were at SUNY-Buffalo, the publication was never formally affiliated with that university or another academic institution. Its institutional independence became an important part of its identity: rather than functioning as a conventional university journal, Telos positioned itself as a forum for heterodox intellectual work and for debates that crossed established academic and political boundaries. The journal initially sought to give the New Left a more coherent theoretical foundation. Its early project combined phenomenology, Western Marxism, and Frankfurt School critical theory in an effort to address the crisis of modern society, the role of subjective experience, and the possibility of social reconstruction. Telos attempted to translate difficult European philosophical debates into a North American context while connecting abstract theory with contemporary political, social, and cultural questions. Its quarterly peer-reviewed format allowed it to publish sustained theoretical arguments as well as interventions on current affairs. From the late 1970s and especially during the 1980s, Telos became increasingly critical of the established Left. The journal revisited the intellectual history of the twentieth century and developed interests in Carl Schmitt, federalism, American populism, Christopher Lasch, cultural disintegration, and the political consequences of post-Fordist economic change. Its critique of the professional-managerial or “new class” challenged the conventional Left–Right framework, which the journal viewed as potentially obscuring emerging forms of social conflict and domination. This evolution was often described by observers as a conservative or rightward turn, although Telos continued to characterize itself as heterodox and maintained a critical distance from formal parties and movements. The shift produced significant editorial and intellectual controversy. Several figures associated with second-generation critical theory, including Jürgen Habermas, departed from the journal during the 1980s. Commentators have linked the break to both political disagreements, including Piccone’s support for United States intervention in Nicaragua, and theoretical differences concerning the linguistic turn in critical theory. In the 1990s, Telos published and translated work by European New Right thinkers such as Alain de Benoist and engaged with paleoconservative and populist currents. These associations led to criticism because some of the published or discussed ideas were ethnonationalist or connected to later far-right intellectual networks. At the same time, the journal also supported NATO intervention against Serbia in 1999 to prevent ethnic cleansing, a position that created tensions with some paleoconservative allies. Paul Piccone remained the central figure in the journal’s development until his death from cancer in 2004. Telos Press Publishing, founded by Piccone, publishes both the journal and a separate book program. The publication is affiliated with the Telos Institute, which organizes annual conferences; selected conference papers have appeared in Telos. David Tse-Chien Pan is listed as editor-in-chief, while Russell A. Berman is listed as editor emeritus. The journal continues to publish work on political theory, philosophy, critical theory, culture, and current political and social issues. It is abstracted and indexed in major citation and current-awareness services, including the Social Sciences Citation Index, Arts & Humanities Citation Index, and relevant Current Contents databases.
History
Telos began in May 1968 at SUNY-Buffalo, where Paul Piccone and fellow working-class philosophy students created the journal as an independent vehicle for theoretical debate. The publication was not formally owned by or attached to the university. This separation from established academic institutions helped shape its long-term character as an autonomous and heterodox intellectual project. In its early years, Telos aimed to provide the New Left with a more systematic theoretical orientation. It drew on phenomenology, Western Marxism, and the Frankfurt School, while attempting to make European critical theory relevant to political and social debates in the United States. The journal’s concerns included the crisis of European science, the persistence of subjectivity, the prospects for social reconstruction, and the relationship between individual autonomy and collective political action. Its theoretical ambitions occasionally attracted criticism from other radical intellectual groups, but the journal retained a distinctive position outside conventional disciplinary and organizational structures. During the late 1970s and 1980s, Telos reassessed its relationship with the Left. Its editorial interests expanded to include Carl Schmitt, federalism, American populism, Christopher Lasch, and the changing social relations associated with post-Fordist capitalism. The journal increasingly argued that conventional Left–Right categories could conceal the emergence of a new class of professional and managerial power. It also placed greater emphasis on culture, arguing that cultural fragmentation and reintegration were central to the formation of autonomous political subjects. This intellectual evolution became known as Telos’s conservative turn. A number of editorial board members, including Jürgen Habermas, left during the 1980s. Accounts of the split identify both political disagreements and theoretical disputes. Piccone’s support for United States intervention in Nicaragua was one reported source of conflict, while another explanation emphasizes disagreement with the linguistic orientation of later critical theory. Telos continued to describe itself as independent of political parties, but its engagement with conservative, paleoconservative, and European New Right writers changed how it was perceived. During the 1990s, contributors associated with the European New Right, including Alain de Benoist, received attention in the journal. Telos became an important English-language venue for translating and discussing some of these arguments. It also maintained connections with figures linked to paleoconservative publications and showed sympathy toward the Lega Nord in Italy. These relationships generated criticism because some of the associated ideas were ethnonationalist and were later connected by commentators to the intellectual origins of the alt-right. The journal’s support for NATO’s 1999 intervention against Serbia, intended to prevent ethnic cleansing, also separated it from some paleoconservative positions. Piccone remained the defining institutional figure until his death from cancer in 2004. Telos Press Publishing, established by Piccone, continued the journal and developed a related book-publishing program. The Telos Institute became an associated organization that hosts annual conferences, with selected papers appearing in the journal. Under later editorial leadership, including editor-in-chief David Tse-Chien Pan and editor emeritus Russell A. Berman, Telos continued to publish work in political theory, philosophy, critical theory, and cultural analysis. Its current identity remains based on intellectual heterodoxy, debate across ideological boundaries, and independence from formal academic or political institutions.
- 2023
Journal Citation Reports lists a 0.1 impact factor
[1]Telos is reported with a 2023 impact factor of 0.1.
- 2004
Paul Piccone dies
[1]Founder and long-serving editor Paul Piccone dies from cancer at age 64.
- 1999
Telos supports NATO intervention in Serbia
[1]The journal supported NATO military intervention against Serbia as a measure to prevent ethnic cleansing, creating tensions with some paleoconservative contacts.
- 1994
Conference examines populism
[1]A Telos conference in New York included paleoconservative commentator Sam Francis on a panel about populism.
- 1980
The journal’s political orientation begins to shift
[1]Telos becomes increasingly critical of the established Left and develops a broader engagement with conservative and anti-managerial critiques.
- 1971
Early heterodox program draws criticism
[1]A contemporary pamphlet criticized the intellectual diversity and theoretical disputes associated with Telos conference activity.
- 1968
Telos is founded at SUNY-Buffalo
[1]Paul Piccone and fellow philosophy students establish Telos in May as an independent journal for theoretical and political debate.
Products and positioning
An independent, heterodox intellectual publication operating at the intersection of academic journal publishing, political theory, philosophy, and cultural criticism. Telos emphasizes theoretical pluralism, institutional independence, and debate across conventional Left–Right divisions.
Quarterly academic journal · 1968
Telos journal
The core publication is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal covering politics, philosophy, critical theory, and contemporary social and cultural issues. Its articles combine scholarly analysis with interventions in current intellectual and political controversies. Telos is known for publishing work outside standard disciplinary and ideological boundaries.
Academic and political books
Telos Press book line
Telos Press Publishing maintains a separate book program alongside the journal. The line extends the publication’s interest in political theory, philosophy, critical theory, cultural criticism, and heterodox intellectual traditions.
Intellectual conferences
Telos Institute conferences
The affiliated Telos Institute hosts annual conferences that bring together scholars and other intellectual contributors. Selected conference papers may subsequently be published in Telos, linking the event program with the journal’s editorial agenda.
Controversies
1994
Controversy surrounding a populism conference panel
A 1994 Telos conference panel involving Sam Francis prompted discomfort among attendees after he made a statement about anti-Jewish riots in Britain. The episode became part of later criticism of the journal’s links to paleoconservative and populist circles.
1990
Controversy over engagement with the European New Right
Telos drew criticism during the 1990s for publishing and translating work by European New Right figures, including Alain de Benoist. Critics associated some of these ideas with ethnonationalism and with later far-right intellectual networks, while the journal presented its role as one of critical and heterodox engagement.
Brand decisions
1999
Support NATO intervention in SerbiaOtherBackground
Telos considered intervention necessary to prevent ethnic cleansing during the Kosovo conflict.
Action taken
The journal supported NATO military action against Serbia.
Aftermath
The position created tension with paleoconservative figures and networks that opposed the intervention.
1980
Reorient the journal beyond the established LeftStrategyBackground
Telos reassessed the assumptions of the New Left and became more interested in conservative critiques, populism, federalism, culture, and the professional-managerial class.
Action taken
The editorial project expanded its range of authors and subjects while rejecting a simple identification with traditional Left politics.
Aftermath
The change produced the journal’s reputation for a conservative turn and contributed to departures by figures associated with second-generation critical theory.
Recent events
Reported
Telos appoints Mark Griffin as CEO as John B. Wood transitions to Executive Chairman[3]
Telos Corporation announced that its board appointed Executive Vice President Mark Griffin as CEO, effective November 2, 2026. John B. Wood transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman, also effective that day.
Reported
Telos reports third-quarter 2021 results[4]
Telos Corporation announced third-quarter 2021 results, including revenue of $70.1 million, up 48% year over year, and record gross profit of $26.1 million.
Reported
Telos updates 2021 financial guidance[4]
Telos Corporation updated its guidance to sales of $240 million–$245 million and adjusted EBITDA of $18 million–$19 million.
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Telos raises $8 million in funding[5]
Telos raised $8 million in funding led by ConsenSys and investor John Lilic, with proceeds intended for platform development, marketing and ecosystem liquidity.
Reported
Telos appoints Mark Bendza as CFO[6]
Telos Corporation announced Mark Bendza's appointment as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 19, 2021.
Reported
Telos launches T-Bond NFTs[7]
Telos announced the launch of T-Bond NFTs, which the article describes as a tool combining decentralized finance and NFTs to unlock liquidity.
Reported
Telos launches TelosTask gig economy platform[8]
Telos launched TelosTask, a blockchain-based peer-to-peer platform that connects task givers with gig workers and supports the completion of micro- and macro-gigs.
Reported
dmail launches on the Telos Network[9]
The dmail messaging application launched on the Telos Network, enabling users and applications to send messages through blockchain accounts.
Sources9 sources
- 1Telosen.wikipedia.org
- 2Telos Press Publishingjournal.telospress.com
- 3Telos任命Mark Griffin为首席执行官，John B. Wood转任执行董事长manilatimes.net
- 4Telos公布2021年第三季度业绩finance.yahoo.com
- 5Telos 融资 800 万美元cointelegraph.com
- 6Telos 任命 Mark Bendza 为首席财务官finance.yahoo.com
- 7Telos推出T-Bond NFTcrowdfundinsider.com
- 8Telos推出TelosTask零工经济平台cointelegraph.com
- 9dmail 在 Telos Network 上线prnewswire.com
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