[steve50]

Good question, never really got a clear definition on that one myself. Best I can figure is it's a term they use for Republicans who increase size/powers of fedgov and decrease states rights.

[CyberCowboy777]

I was wondering because I have heard it used to describe both ends of the spectrum. Strict Constitutionalist\Right Wingers and Liberal Republicans. So now I ask, 'cause I never know how it was intended.

Neo - 1. New; recent: Neolithic. 2. a. New and different: neoimpressionism. b. New and abnormal: neoplasm.

[Mr. Blond]

The neo-conservative movement was started by former Democrats, turned off by the radicalism of the 1960's left. The leaders of the movement are ex-Trotskyites and Straussians(Buckley, Bennet, Saffire, Goldberg). Unlike the Old Right Republicans, of which Reagan was ostensibly the last, they don't believe in smaller government or non-interventionism. They are not anti-war or even anti-welfare(remember Democrat presidents sent us into WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam). Similar to their Democrat ancestors, they believe in a powerful central government to enforce their ideals such as cultural conservatism and American Empire.