What is a "neo-conservative" and how is that different from a conservative?

Answer 1

Very different. "Neo" means new. But the difference is much greater than that.

Republican Congressman Ron Paul's speech before congress about the neo-con agenda and background should provide some idea. I've linked it below. Pat Buchanan has also written a book "Where the Right Went Wrong" on the neo-conservatives, and how they are starkly opposed to the approach of older conservatives.

Basically, the difference has to do with a number of issues, but the ones I see most clearly are these: neo-conservatives are big-government conservatives who are willing to spend endlessly, in contrast with older paleo-conservatives who eschew spending. Secondly, and probably more importantly, neo-conservatives are always very 'hawkish', some even willing to engage in a permanent state of war, while paleo-conservatives are generally more isolationist, and would want to be in a war only if the nation were directly threatened. There are other differences, but these two represent the core difference in values.

The bigger problem is that the words don't really mean a whole lot anymore. Bush and his team have clouded the meanings. I used to describe myself as a conservative, in the model of Barry Goldwater or Ronald Reagan. Now, I rarely even use the term anymore. Of course, this changing meaning of the word conservative is nothing new.

The dictionary definition says that conservative means opposition to change. That was probably an accurate description of the conservative position in the U.S., pre-FDR. But since then, conservatives have needed to effect change if they wanted to return to their ideal state. So, even the dictionary definition isn't exactly right anymore.

Neo-conservatives have hijacked the Republican party. I know many people who oppose Republican principles don't care, but the fact remains that the values of this administration are very different than the values of Republicans in general, and Reagan Republicans in particular. Many of us hope to see change in the next election.

One final warning to Democrats and Liberals. Beware. The neo-cons are not fixated on principle. They go to power. If the Republicans are ousted from power, you can expect to see most of the neo-cons start to call themselves neo-liberals and trying to join up with you guys. Be cautious. Before you know it, you'll find them taking over your agenda, too.

Wait a minute! Let me think. Did the Democrats fully support most of the neo-con agenda items in Congress this past decade? Of course they did. Perhaps the problem is greater than we feared.

Answer 2

Conservatives favor the working rich first,the middle class somewhat,and the poor never.
Neo-conservatives are nationalists
who disregard the true conservatism of Ronald Reagan and Ayn Rand in favor a fairy-tale that God instilled moral immunity in Georg W. Bush.
Nationalism is the single worst political trait of all time,and its why ne-cons get so furious when Bush's regime is called a regime.He runs its like a regime that is in infallible.That's why they get so angry when you call it a christian/theocrat/nationalist regime.That's what it is.It's nuts.

Answer 3

Neoconservatism (or neocon) refers to the political movement, ideology, and public policy goals of "new conservatives" in the United States, that are relatively unopposed to "big government" principles and believe in limited restrictions on social spending. Supporters define it as advocating the use of military force, unilaterally if necessary, to replace autocratic regimes with democratic ones. This view competes with liberal internationalism, realism, and non-interventionism.

Answer 4

They are somehow related to the Matrix. Not really sure of all of the details. One thing is for certain, they can't govern, and they refuse to go into combat themselves. They do enjoy making others fight and die for their concocted wars.

Answer 5

Personally, I don't know. To my observation, they are both "do-nothing" philosophies.