Neoconservative

Definition

Neoconservatives are a political ideology that emerged in the United States in the 1970s, characterized by a hawkish foreign policy, a strong emphasis on traditional social values, and a belief in the power of free-market capitalism. This group is further to the political right than traditional conservatives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neoconservatives believe in a robust, assertive foreign policy and are often supportive of military interventions to promote democracy and American interests abroad.
2. Neoconservatives are generally more socially conservative than traditional conservatives, with a strong emphasis on traditional family values and opposition to social liberalism.
3. Neoconservatives are strong advocates of free-market capitalism and are often critical of government regulation and intervention in the economy.
4. Many prominent neoconservatives were former liberals or Democrats who became disillusioned with the left's perceived weakness on foreign policy and social issues.
5. Neoconservatism has had a significant influence on American foreign policy, particularly during the presidency of George W. Bush, when many neoconservatives held influential positions in the administration.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features of neoconservatism and how they differ from traditional conservatism.
  • Neoconservatism is characterized by a more hawkish foreign policy, a stronger emphasis on traditional social values, and a belief in the power of free-market capitalism. In contrast, traditional conservatism tends to be more isolationist in foreign policy, more focused on preserving existing social structures, and more skeptical of unfettered capitalism. Neoconservatives are generally further to the political right than traditional conservatives, with a more aggressive approach to promoting American interests abroad and a more socially conservative agenda.
• Analyze the role of neoconservatives in shaping American foreign policy, particularly during the presidency of George W. Bush.
  • Neoconservatives had a significant influence on American foreign policy during the Bush administration, with many neoconservatives holding influential positions in the government. This led to a more assertive and interventionist approach to foreign policy, including the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Neoconservatives believed that the United States had a moral and strategic imperative to promote democracy and American interests abroad, even through the use of military force. This approach was controversial, with critics arguing that it led to costly and protracted conflicts with limited success in achieving the desired outcomes.
• Evaluate the extent to which neoconservatism has continued to shape American politics and policy in the years since the Bush presidency.
  • While neoconservatism was a dominant force in American politics during the Bush administration, its influence has waned in subsequent years. The perceived failures of the Iraq War and the rise of more isolationist and populist strains of conservatism have led to a decline in the prominence of neoconservative ideas. However, some aspects of neoconservatism, such as a hawkish foreign policy and a commitment to free-market capitalism, continue to resonate with certain segments of the Republican Party. The extent to which neoconservatism will shape American politics and policy in the future remains an open question, as the Republican Party grapples with competing ideological currents and the evolving challenges facing the country.

Related terms

Paleoconservatism: A more traditional conservative ideology that emphasizes nationalism, social conservatism, and opposition to multiculturalism and globalization.

Neoliberalism: An economic ideology that promotes free-market capitalism, deregulation, and privatization as the best means of achieving economic growth and development.

Interventionism: The policy of a government or organization to intervene in the affairs of another country, often through military means, to achieve a desired outcome.