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)

[Angelus Errare]

The circular firing squad begins anew ...

[Sonny M]

A long time ago, I asked this question, and I got a weird variety of answers, not to mention being yelled at for just asking. Personally, the key word to me is conservative.

[byteback]

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.

calling agent TLB LOL!

[Torie]

Neos have gotten most of what they want from the domestic agenda except for education/school vouchers, and failing to put a stake in the heart of unprincipled quotas. Thus foreign policy is viewed as where the action is at present. But to suggest that Neos don't care about domestic policy is silly. Neos are internationist, period. They are not paranoid about international institutions. They tend to look forward to the US dominating them, actually. True liberty can only arise from intelligent restraint and restaints. It is a balancing act, that needs to be measured one public policy decision at a time. Macro concepts are not very helpful where the rubber meets the road.

Kissenger is a Neo in good standing on foreign policy. I admire him.

[Sparta]

Thanks.

[chnsmok]

Hey! She is our neo-nazi and a lot of people would like a pic. Love ya Ann!

[Torie]

Just because Coulter looks Aryan, does not make her a neo-Nazi. I know you are just trolling for replies, so I thought I would help feed you insatiable hunger.

[Jhoffa_]

Kissenger is a Neo in good standing on foreign policy. I admire him.

All I need to know.

Thanks for your assistance Tory, I do appreciate it.

[Torie]

You're welcome. I am not a salesman on this site. I just call them as I see them.

[chnsmok]

Good post. What is this thread about??

[kitkat]

Thanks for this one, Pokey. I've been SO confused by the term, "neocom."

[sauropod]

I reject your categorizations. I am a paleocon and I do not
hate anybody except His Slickness and Her Heinous!

[Republican Party Reptile]

From PaleoCons to Classical Liberalism (which of course today are often conservative values, go figure that one) to Country Club Republicans to NeoCons - if you have to ask, you are probably not in that camp :)

[Jhoffa_]

PS: I am very glad you posted this..

Thank you. I have been wondering about it all day.

[NormsRevenge]

Democracy1154 signed up 2002-08-06. This account has been banned.

Buh-BYE!!! Dolt.

[NormsRevenge]

A Very interesting area to study , indeed.

Jonah Goldberg Arguments of Color
Jan. 12, 2002 - National Review Online

Mapping the Right: Cracks and Fissures in the Electoral Right
Paloecons vs. Neocons

The Conservative Movement by Paul Gottfried

[quidnunc]

Have you noticed how much in common the paleocons have with the nihilistic loony-left anti-globalists?

[Stavka2]

The question is how to define our interventionism.

Lets see: humanitarianism, sole superpowerism, sticking it to the bad guys off of our payroleism, McWorldism, for the childrenism, antiterrorism, anticommunism, antioppositionism, popularity pollism, get them firstism, military-industrial complexism, imperialism, protect the Saudisism, or: woke up on the wrong side of the bedism?

[TLBSHOW]

bump

[Stavka2]

You obviously missed the Patriot Act, McArthism and Microsoft getting off scott free while Eron and Anderson pillaged away.

[TLBSHOW]

I missed it but read his/her rant on another thread I think he/she thinks tonight is new years eve.

[TLBSHOW]

Mr. Boot is the Olin senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations

need I say more?

[ffusco]

Speak softly and carry a big stick is neocon

[Pelham]

Many of Buchanan's ideas can be found in the writings of Wilhelm Roepke, who has been regarded as a conservative economist since he orchestrated the postwar German economic miracle. I realize it's regarded as great sport around here to disparage Buchanan's economic ideas, but then FR isn't exactly a hotbed of economic scholars.

[Arkinsaw]

I got in trouble in the 5th grade (1972-73) for sticking an "I'm A Happy Republican" sticker on the front of my little two person desk. I stuck it on there because it had a smiley face on it and did not quite understand the furor, gnashing of teeth, and weeping amongst my teachers. But I have always identified with the Republican Party since that very day. Plus the fact that I could not stand to see Lyndon Baines Johnson on the television set.

[namvetcav]

What the heck goes on here? Some jokers or the other are lumping Ann Coulter with Pat Buchanan, the jew-hating fascist. This traitor to Republicans hated W so much he attempted to give Al Gore the election. Annie is a goddess and it is offensive to sully her name with any association to that knuckle-dragging, goldbug, Ted Turner-MSNBC-selected quasi-agent provocateur.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Max Boot is a neocon.