what is the difference between a conservative and a neocon?

Answer 1

The Neoconservative writer Irving Kristol once defined a neoconservative as a "liberal who's been mugged by reality."

While there are many different and sometimes mutually exclusive brands of conservatism, as a generaliztion, Neoconservative contrasts with what might be termed "Paleoconservatism."

Paleoconservatives are the traditional brand of American conservatives. They stand for the ideals of small government that does not interfere with private property or private economic activity, a reduction and eventual elimination of the welfare state, Isolationism, and a return to a greater emphasis on moral values education.

Neoconservatives, on the other hand, maintain the importance of American interventionism. Neocons have always favored a more robust involvement of America in world affairs, as they maintain that America's greatest defense is being involved in the world to keep it stabalized.

They also are far less worried about the idea of big government. While Paloeconservatives hate big government, Neocons believe that activist government is no threat to liberty, so long as the government limits its activities to areas likely to help the economy grow.

Strictly speaking, Neocons are also far less in love with the ideas of religious values than their Paleo brothers (This is where George Bush parts company with his Neocon friends). Neocons tend to view society as a secular arrangement, that is best explained by Classical Contract Theory, than an appeal to scripture. Thus Neocons frequently find themselves at odds with the religious right in America.

So here it is...

Paloeconservatives: Religion, Isolationism, and small government.

Neoconservative: Secular Contract Theory, Governmental Activism, and Interventionist Foreign Policy to stabalize the world and export American values of Democracy.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

A neocon is a conservative just more power mad. Conservatives are okay, it's the neocons that are giving them a bad name. It's like Liberals...they are okay too, but it's the ones that are far out left that give them a bad reputation. The far left and the neocons are the ones that everyone usually complains about. Except for the narrow minded fools that cannot even fathom the thought of the other side and refuse to acknowledge them as equals.

Answer 3

do not even attempt to evaluate a cicilized society like the u . s . with those backward terrorist international locations like Iran. the situation they nevertheless stone females, have rape rooms and thats in simple terms the girls. look on the videos of the terroist reducing off the journalists head. i'm not a Democrat and that i don't paintings for CNN , and that i'm unable to blame america for all the international's themes and that i'm unable to evaluate this impressive usa to a distinctive usa permit by using myself Iran, bearing directly to human rights abuses.

Answer 4

US Conservatives
- low taxes, less government, support the wealthy and the poor have only themselves to blaim
- isolationist -- fear or contempt for the world beyond US borders

US Neoconservatives
- similar, but support big government with low social spending and very high military spending.
- activists abroad ... desire to reform other societies in the American image with military strength.

Answer 5

Similar to the difference between a right wing politician and a Nazi.

Answer 6

That's like asking what is the difference in a pervert an Clinton.