Is there really such a thing as NeoCons?

Question

If so, what are they and what is their relationship to Zionism?

If not, how did this rumor get started?

Answer 1

Well, people considered neocons are those who were at one time Marxists, Trotskyists or any other type of socialist/Communist who eventually "saw the light" and became conservative. The movement originated by Irving Kristol, a Jewish intellectual from New York who famously said that necons are "liberals mugged by reality." Many neocons are Jewish, as were the true "founders", the aforementioned Kristol and Norman Podhoretz. Another prominent family in the movement are the Kagans (Donald, Robert and Frederick). Many pushed hard for a Jewish state to be built and Israel was the answer to their push when the UN established the state of Israel. Thus, many of those intellectuals who supported Zionism now have a steadfast support for the state of Israel. Irving's son, Bill, founded the Weekly Standard and is always strong in its support for Israel as evidenced by his and his colleagues editorials.

Answer 2

Neo-Conservative means "new conservative".

Originally, the conservative movement was based on the constitutional principles to "provide for the common Defense" and to "'ensure domestic Tranquility". As such, aside from military spending, they generally favored a small federal government, lower taxes and less deficit spending, fewer social programs (like Welfare), and more state control over issues. The Republican party was the largest concentration, and was synonymous with the term "fiscal conservative".

Sometime in the past couple of decades, a new conservative movement began which had more of a social agenda. They sought to advance want group rights (conformity with 'traditional' values) and supported a large government to ensure domestic tranquility by enforcing those conservative majority beliefs.

As part of this new social agenda, the Neo-Cons abandoned the concept of a limited federal government when the became the majority, and instead sought to strengthen the federal government and increase federal power as a way to promote their social agenda nationally. This, combined with their strong defense and homeland security goals, meant that the federal government kept spending more and more money, while still cutting taxes, thus raising the deficit even higher.

This distinguished the Neo-Cons from the 'old' conservatives, who disapproved of deficit spending, and felt that greater federal authority meant less local power for the states.

It's just another example of how any group, given sufficient power to pursue their agendas, can begin to abuse that power. The Neo-Cons are nothing new on the political stage. They are just another group that has taken advantage of a temporary shift in opinion to push their own agendas, regardless of the long term costs.

Answer 3

Neo Con is a term formulated to refer to the new kind of conservative: President Bush, Sean Hannity, Arnold, etc. As opposed to traditional conservatives: Ronald Reagan, Michael Savage, etc. However, the main thing NeoCons are labeled for is shared by traditionals as well. Most conservatives support an Israeli state. In my humble opinion, the Neo Cons are merely the product of big-government, spoils-system Republicanism/Lincolnism. Traditionals come directly from Jefferson, Washington, Patrick Henry, and the Democratic Rupublican Party, which I wish would be reinstated. For more info and discussion on true conservatism (as opposed to this liberal/conservative mutation called neocon), check out the group, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/jr conservatives.

Answer 4

Neocons are alive and well in this world today. It is NOT a rumor.

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-conservative