[Belisaurius]

Since neoconservatism is the principle behind our foreign policy, I'd say it was rather meaningful to any current debate on our civilization.
Neoconservatism and Wilson have almost nothing in common except the belief that there should be a moral component to foreign policy decisions.
That ongoing moral decline of civilization (Porky's-ization) bromide has been around since Augustine of Hippo. Given our thirty year love affair with the disposal of unwanted babies, I'm hesitant to argue strenuously against the idea. Still, there are alot of people fighting tooth-and-nail, and I'd say your assertion that Republican and American politics has jettisoned Christianity (and Judaism too) is rather premature.
John Kerry? We've always had John Kerrys.

There's more Christianity in China today then in Europe.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Neoconservatism and Wilson have almost nothing in common except the belief that there should be a moral component to foreign policy decisions.

What??? Good grief... What planet are you on? Read Churchill. Ever heard of the Versailles Treaty?

If Bush's policy wonks were inspired by reading Leo Strauss at Harvard, yes, it's relevant to their thinking and ideology. Whether Neocon American Republicans are likely to determine the future of "civilization" is an open question. Whether the lifestyle expectations of middle-class, social Darwinist people in Westchester, Fairfield, Montgomery, and Fairfax County ought to determine the future of world civilization is also an open question. [Irony Alert]

They might want to solve the violence in their own cities before dumping funds abroad. [SARCASM]

[u-89]

> Neoconservatism and Wilson have almost nothing in common except the belief that there should be a moral component to foreign policy decisions

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Like this "moral componnent" from President Bush's press conference a couple of weeks ago:

"And as the greatest power on the face of the earth, we have an obligation to help the spread of freedom. We have an obligation to help feed the hungry. I think the American people find it interesting that we're providing food for the North Korea people who starve.

"We have an obligation to lead the fight on AIDS, on Africa. And we have an obligation to work toward a more free world. That's our obligation. That is what we have been called to do, as far as I'm concerned.

"And my job as the president is to lead this nation and to making the world a better place. And that's exactly what we're doing."

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This moralism sounds more like global socialism than conservatism. Perhaps that's what they mean by "new" conservatism.