What the Heck Is a 'Neocon'?

Opinion Journal ^ | 12/30/2002 | Max Boot

[Pokey78]

Neoconservatives believe in using American might to promote American ideals abroad.

I have been called many names in my career--few of them printable--but the most mystifying has to be "neocon." I suppose I get labeled thus because I am associated, in a small way, with the Weekly Standard, which is known as a redoubt of "neoconservatism."

[DBtoo]

This was something I had been wondering but didn't want to ask. Thanks for posting this!

[SandfleaCSC]

Better hop into that asbestos suit fast son.

[Torie]

This article has echoes here and here. It is almost weird that you came up with this article giving the timing.

[Torie]

Whatever you are drinking, it is time to switch berverages.

[Jhoffa_]

I, for one, am not eager to ban either abortion or cloning, two hot-button issues on the religious right. On economic matters, neocons--like pretty much all other Republicans, except for Mr. Buchanan and his five followers--embrace a laissez-faire line, though they are not as troubled by the size of the welfare state as libertarians are.

But it is not really domestic policy that defines neoconservatism. This was a movement founded on foreign policy...

?

[Jhoffa_]

I was just paging you, actually..

[Torie]

What is your question?

[Bogey78O]

Took your meds?

[Jhoffa_]

Have you lost your mind?

(check behind the dryer..)

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

I am much more interested in the policy/ideology debates themselves. This paleo/neo stuff has degenerated into name calling.

It is also evidence of the greater diversity of ideas within the conservative camp.

[UnBlinkingEye]

Pretty much all conservatives today agree on the need for a strong, vigorous foreign policy.

The author has confused conservatives with neocons. True conservatives align themselves with George Washington's Farewell Address, which advises no entangling foreign alliances.

There is no constituency for isolationism on the right, outside the Buchananite fever swamps.

Mr. Boot and his globalist point of view is destroying America's image as a shining city on the hill.

The question is how to define our interventionism.

The answer is a tragic tremendous mistake. We should lead by example not force.

[chnsmok]

Sad. Almost 5 months of your life to have it come to this.

[judgeandjury]

Your post #2 was very funny! It was very untrue, but still very funny!

[Jhoffa_]

How accurate would you say the excerpt I posted is in describing these neo-conservatives?

(Based on foreign policy, domestically lazy, not friendly to libertarian principles and liberties, not particularly enthusiastic about domestic social issues, ivy league, one worlder kinda thing.. etc.. )

I keep thinking Henry Kissinger.

[byteback]

Ann Coulter is hardly a neocon (did you read the article?). Neocons are softer on social issues and I'm surprised that anyone would think that Ann is soft on abortion. She's clearly over in the Buchanon wing.

The only wing I see who doesn't like anyone not of their own skin tone is in the Democratic party. (and here's a clue...they're not white).

[goldstategop]

I am a descendant of the neoconservative school and am very much a mainstream conservative. I am not unduly troubled at the existence of the welfare state and furthermore I champion the "hard Wilsonian" school of thought in international relations which holds American ideals must be spread abroad by persuasion where possible and defended by force of arms when necessary. America is the greatest country on earth and is an example to the rest of the world on how to create and sustain a country built upon individual initiative, maximum freedom and which the tendency to absolute power is checked by the robust application of the rule of law. Along with an admiration for the wonders of the free market and a respect for the virtues and values that define the republican virtue tradition, mainstream conservatives believe this captures what is special about America and will make the forthcoming century a uniquely American one as the previous ones have been. In short far from America's best days being behind her, we have yet to see the end of possibilities for this country. God Bless America.

[Sparta]

Democracy, you insulted Ann Coulter, you better have two asbestos suits on because you are about to get flamed faster than a Lincoln supporter on a neo-Confederate thread.

(Not taking sides, just giving fair warning)