Neoconservatism and conservatism are different ideologies, with neoconservatism being a newer, more interventionist form. Irving Kristol, the godfather of neoconservatism, was a liberal who combined various philosophies to create the ideology. The Weekly Standard, edited by William Kristol, is considered neoconservative. Congressman Ron Paul has criticized neoconservatives for their support of foreign interventionism. Paleoconservatives do not support involvement in other countries’ affairs or nation-building. It is important to distinguish between traditional conservatives and neoconservatives.
The terms neoconservatism and conservatism are often used interchangeably, but the two have very different meanings. It can help distinguish other forms of political ideology to explain what neoconservative means. For example, the term “paleo” conservative represents the “old right” or traditional conservatives, while “neo” conservative refers to new or modern conservatives.
The latter appears oxymoronic in that conservative means to conserve, or preserve, traditional ways or points of view. The terms new and traditional just don’t gel. What many find surprising is the fact that the man known as “the godfather of neoconservatism” was left-of-center politically, although this fact helps clarify the matter. Using the term neoconservative is a bit like saying liberal-conservative.
The man dubbed the godfather of neoconservatism, Irving Kristol, was a liberal but apparently couldn’t find what he was looking for on the left. He didn’t even find it right, so he essentially fashioned an ideology that combined various philosophies. He has written more than one book of note on the subject of neoconservatism and has been hugely influential in advancing the neoconservative movement.
His son William Kristol is probably best known for his role as editor of The Weekly Standard. The publication is considered by many to be conservative, although the addition of the prefix “neo” is more accurate. Young Kristol portrays a neocon individual as a liberal kidnapped from reality. William Kristol is also president and co-founder of PNAC, the blueprint for a new American century. PNAC is portrayed as a think tank, and one of its self-proclaimed goals is to provide “a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad.”
Congressman Ron Paul has used the shortened version of the term neoconservative, “neocon,” on several occasions to describe those who support government solutions to social problems and foreign interventionism. In a House speech titled “Neo-Conned!” which is now part of the Congressional Record, he said: “In many ways, there is nothing ‘neo’ about their views, and certainly nothing conservative.”
Neocon ideology embraces interventionism if it is perceived to benefit America. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe in injecting American wealth and could only do so when presented with a real and imminent threat or attack on America or its allies. Paleoconservatives do not embrace involvement in other countries’ internal affairs, nor do they espouse world control, “spreading democracy,” or nation-building.
The differences between the paleoconservative and neoconservative wings of the Republican Party are many and varied. Therefore, to be accurate in discussing conservatism, it is important to distinguish between traditional conservatives and “New Dealers”.
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