Neoconservatism

Neoconservatism (colloquially neocon) is a political movement which began in the United States during the 1960s among liberal hawks who became disenchanted with the increasingly pacifist Democratic Party along with the growing New Left and counterculture of the 1960s. Neoconservatives typically advocate the unilateral promotion of democracy and interventionism in international relations together with a militaristic and realist philosophy of “peace through strength”. They are known for espousing opposition to communism and radical politics.

Many adherents of neoconservatism became politically influential during Republican presidential administrations from the 1960s to the 2000s, peaking in influence during the presidency of George W. Bush, when they played a major role in promoting and planning the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Prominent neoconservatives in the Bush administration included Paul Wolfowitz, Elliott Abrams, Richard Perle, Paul Bremer, and Douglas Feith.

Although U.S. vice president Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld had not self-identified as neoconservatives, they worked closely alongside neoconservative officials in designing key aspects of the Bush administration’s foreign policy; especially in their support for Israel, promotion of American influence in the Arab world and launching the war on terror. The Bush administration’s domestic and foreign policies were heavily influenced by major ideologues affiliated with neoconservatism, such as Bernard Lewis, Lulu Schwartz, Richard and Daniel Pipes, David Horowitz, and Robert Kagan.

Critics of neoconservatism have used the term to describe foreign policy and war hawks who support aggressive militarism or neocolonialism. Historically speaking, the term neoconservative refers to Americans who moved from the anti-Stalinist left to conservatism during the 1960s and 1970s. The movement had its intellectual roots in the magazine Commentary, edited by Norman Podhoretz. They spoke out against the New Left, and in that way helped define the movement.

wikipedia/en/Neoconservatism

Neoconservatism is a US-based political movement originating in the 1960s, characterized by a strong, interventionist foreign policy that promotes democracy and American national interests, often through military force. It emerged from a group of disillusioned liberals who opposed the New Left and liberal pacifism of the time. Key tenets include a rejection of the welfare state, a focus on traditional democratic values, and a belief in preemptive action to protect national security. The ideology gained significant prominence during the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, particularly in the post-9/11 era. [1, 2]

• Shift from Liberalism: Neoconservatism arose from intellectuals who were once on the liberal-left but became critical of the Democratic Party’s direction, its stance on the Vietnam War, and its expanding social programs. [1, 3]
• Promotion of Democracy: A central belief is that the U.S. has a responsibility to promote democracy and American values abroad. [2]
• Interventionist Foreign Policy: Neoconservatives generally support a strong military and advocate for using military force, including preemptive action, to defend national interests and respond to threats. [1, 2]
• Rejection of the Welfare State: They typically advocate for a rejection of large-scale social programs and a focus on traditional democratic values and individual meritocracy. [2, 3]

Historical Context

• The 1960s: The movement began in the 1960s as intellectuals, like the “godfather” of neoconservatism Irving Kristol, reacted against the anti-war protests, social radicalism, and expanding government programs of the era. [1, 2, 3]
• Post-9/11 Era: Neoconservatism gained significant visibility and influence during the Bush administration, providing the intellectual justification for the military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq following the September 11, 2001, attacks. [2, 4]

Key Figures and Ideological Roots

• Irving Kristol: Often called the “godfather” of neoconservatism, he helped shape the movement’s core principles. [2, 5]
• Jeane Kirkpatrick: Her work, among other influential texts, explored the role of American foreign policy in spreading democracy and the limitations of certain approaches to authoritarian regimes. [6]

Contemporary Relevance [2, 4, 7, 8]

• While the movement faced criticism after the Iraq War, its influence continues in discussions of American foreign policy. Some argue that the fundamental tenets of neoconservatism remain relevant for addressing modern international challenges.