Why are liberals so quick to trot out the term "neocon" but don't acknowledge the difference between

Question

neoliberalsim and classical liberalism.

For the record, I know and recognize the differences between neoconservatives and traditional conservatives, so why can't neoliberals see that they have nothing at all in common with classical liberalism?

Example: Claiming that the Founding Fathers were liberals. I agree that they adhered to classical liberalism, but would have nothing at all to do with the neoliberal movement of today.

Edit: Sky- did you even read the question and details? I do know the differences between neo and traditional of both liberalism and Conservatism. Do you?

Edit: to 10-T3- So....what is your answer???

Answer 1

They are so quick to say it because they have no idea what either one means. They just hear other libs saying it so they think it is the new con bashing buzzword. I can't count the times I have been called a neocon, when it is obvious by any one of my answers that I am a classical, hard-line, Capitalist Conservative-- definitely NOT a New Tone Conservative. If they understood neoconservatism they would see that it is more in line with their way of thinking. If they had a single clue what Conservatism means, (and it is obvious by their frequent references to Fascism that they don't) they would be Conservatives themselves.

And please don't assume that I mean every Democrat when I say libs. I know that very few Democrats are libs.

Answer 2

Generalizations are rarely a good idea. But, on the other hand, they're usually based on some core of truth. For example, in the United States, there are many Christian organizations that are very aggressive in trying to enforce their version of morality, which is particularly restrictive and intolerant. Even oppressive. I don't think that can be called "liberal" by any definition of the term. Considering that fact, it's understandable why one might gererally consider non-Christians more liberal than Christians.

Answer 3

I just answered something like this so here it goes

You have likely observed that in this selfish world, it is easy to 'shut the door of one's opposing views' and perhaps """"RIDICULE""" something like groups , fairness or intelligences or actions--- but that doesn't changed its face to what it is.

On the other-hand stupidity, and deceit are often ridiculed by the nicer or smarter (smarter is not necessarily an academic education-but of good reasoning power--common sense) Especially if one doesn't change their views or values even """""AFTER" """"being pointed out the truth of things. .And they( the smarter ones) have ever right to do so. Stupidity often doesn't want to learn. And they just keep repeating the same old garbage and actions. And They just try to justify their silly actions with excuses.

Your example is true but there were more values than--so many more hop on this now- This Liberal bandwagon and support things that are just plain wrong. It is a me-ism world. But not all. Some have very good views.
So that would be the difference between the overboard and the not. -Tradition and Neo (of both parties)

So why is it they do- you ask--the "over the board" don't want to learn . They would have to admit their stupidity first. But pride gets in the way.

Answer 4

Neocon began as an anti Semitic slur to describe Jews who had left behind the slavery at the thought plantation. Now the term is used to describe any group that liberals believe they have the right to control by some sort of manifest destiny (blacks, gays, etc.)

Of course the Founding Fathers were classic liberals but what a liberal today is a socialist, the complete opposite of a classic liberal.

Answer 5

I have heard several prominent speakers refer to true liberals as being those who would stand by conservatives and they, "may not agree with what you say but, will fight to the death for your right to say it".

This does not represent the neo-liberals of today. (Fairness Doctrine comes to mind.)

Neoliberalism Dismantles Services to Make Elites Even Richer ~ From of all places - AlterNet!

This article made me curious so I dove in and began reading... I have learned more about liberals than they know about themselves.

The BIG turning point for them was the assassination of Kennedy. They just couldn’t accept the reality that a communist killed him, not a right wing extremist. (hence all of the nutty conspiracy theories, especially out of Hollyweird)

Answer 6

The reason why you were so confused and angered by Sky's answer is because not only are you a confused and angry person, but because Sky assumed you weren't lying when you said you know what a neoliberal is. You clearly don't. Neoliberalism and classical liberalism are actually very closely aligned. In fact, the term "neoliberalism" is actually an abbreviation of "neoclassical liberalism." It is a resurrection of classical liberal ideas. To help you out, I've provided some helpful links so you can get the basics down.

Edit: Why did you vote me down? I'm only trying to help!

Answer 7

yes and can you really compare either Bush to our first republican president Lincoln??? Now as far as liberals vs anybody...did you know liberals in precommunist Russia we land owners and the people were serfs with no protections but they were not the ones who saw freedom from an overbearing beauracracy and Czar(royal family) as the ideal...supposedly the revolts of 1911 on were the serf revolts but the reality was and usually is , the intellectuals of every doctrinal species are the real "rabble rousers." And are you sure you know what a liberal movement today really is about??? I think what you may be upset with is a progressive movement to find and know the truth behind what seem to be inexplicable actions of our government officials...ie: when the looting of government buildings and the Iraq museum was going on after the great Operation Iraqi Liberation(OIL),and Rumsfield said "stuff happens" with a shrug-it-off attitude..What was he doing? that wasn't a logical response for a responsible invading army of liberation was it??? Well lets try shock and awe to disorrient the Iraqis so they wont know what hit them while we took guardianship of their oil fields...Lets sit back and watch militias and death squads liberate the Iraqi people from possessions and their lives....all armed with compliments of American Gen. Petreaus...All those 200,000 unaccounted for arms (for oil) yes neoconservatives were all accounted for...they have a pretty long history of aiding and abbetting both sides but usually it means death and destruction for the poor souls who are caught in the middle...the pull yourself up by your own bootstraps is a good description of a neoconservative belief...It is the almighty dollar talking but it takes the reality out of any equation and that reality is based on the might of the"free market" where the haves own the free market (with that unfair advantage of Might=Right) and the have nots should just appreciate, consume and survive however they can and be damned if they can"t...anything else I can enlighten you with?

Answer 8

Neoliberalism is an economic policy that seeks to return economic policies to those of the 18th and 19th century.I think that's a lot like classic liberalism.

Answer 9

Classic liberals were what we would describe in modern political jargon as "libertarians"

Neoliberals today share little or nothing in common with the classic liberal traditions of America's Founders

Ron Paul might have at one time been considered a "classic liberal" but his cowardly betrayal of this country has negated any claim he might have to this label

Answer 10

This has NOTHING to do with proper definitions.

The term 'neo-con' is trotted out on YA! to refer to anyone who is conservative and reduces thier arguement to mudslinging or hate-politics.

This may not be the 'proper' usage, but the definition of certain terms sometimes evolve to mean other things. 'Fag' means cigarette. 'Pig' certainly didn't start out as a term for a cop. And 'cool' used to mean chilly.