Kind of like "Monopoly" If it wasn't in the dictonary, you would never know what the word truly means, it's misused so often.
"Historically, neoconservatism has been marked by a strong anti-Communism, a deep appreciation of America, a critical celebration of capitalism, a stress on the importance of religion and virtues, a sense of tragedy about the effects of social action and a cons tant aversion to individualistic heresies - either on the libertarian right or the licentious left."
I view Neocons as being internationalist, interventionist, for a strong military, pro free trade and anti-protectionist, pro civil rights in a color blind way, pro welfare reform, valuing religion even if not religious themselves, concerned about the dysfunction of the educational establishment and pro voucher, and while not against government, or big government, of centralized government per se or a social safety net, desirous of continual engagment in an honest evaluation of its effects, efficicacy and consequences.
I pretty much take a Neocon position down the line in most things I post here. But then I am a Neocon.
Another definition requires that you had to be once a liberal, and it helped to be Jewish as well. That defintion is silly and outdated, and doesn't fit me. In fact, I used to be more traditionally conservative with a moderate amount of libertarian coloration, than I am now.
I hope that helps.
Russell Kirk observed that what really motivated the neo-cons was not conservative principles or limited government or any kind of American identity, but rather identification with the State of Israel. That about sums them up. Their "rightward" shift happened because the left was losing its earlier affection for Israel, and becoming anti-American (which, in the context of contemporary politics, meant anti-Israeli, too). In reality the neo-cons have never understood or had any kind of instinctual sympathy for the traditions or ideals of American conservativism. They were quite happy with the left and with big government, until their interests dictacted a move "rightward". On many important issues, they are still instinctive Marxists. They will chose the big government option every time; anything which gives them a chance to lobby and politic for more power for themselves and their allies.
Piece of cake. Their goals are exactly the same as the left wing .... big government solutions. Only headed by Them, the ever so much more enlightened and intelligent ones (almost exclusively drawn from those who have or have had as little to do with the great unwashed as possible, read journalists, writers, think-tank types, almost all former Democrats). And please don't rush out that old Reagan chestnut.