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A '''neoconservative''' (colloquially, ''neocon'') is a former [[liberal]] who calls himself a [[conservative]].  Neoconservatives favor [[globalism]], downplay religious values, and often disagree with [[conservatives]] on key social issues like [[abortion]] and [[homosexuality]].  Neoconservatives believe that democracy can and should be installed by the [[United States]] around the world, even in Muslim countries such as [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], and [[Saudi Arabia]].  On domestic issues, neoconservatives are best known for opposing [[affirmative action]] while being silently opposed to social conservatives on moral issues.

A '''neoconservative''' (colloquially, ''neocon'') is former [[liberal]] who calls himself a [[conservative]].  Neoconservatives favor [[globalism]], downplay religious values, and often disagree with [[conservatives]] on key social issues like [[abortion]] and [[homosexuality]].  Neoconservatives oppose appointing [[Supreme Court]] Justices who would overturn ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''.  Neoconservatives place their highest domestic priority on opposing [[affirmative action]] while silently opposing social conservatives on moral issues.  On foreign policy, neoconservatives believe that democracy can and should be installed by the [[United States]] around the world, even in Muslim countries such as [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], and [[Saudi Arabia]].   

Neoconservatives were hugely influential in the administration of President [[George W. Bush]], and have lobbied for regime change in [[Iraq]], and for military action against [[Iran]]. Neo-conservatism is characterized by an [[idealist]]ic belief in [[social progress]] and the universality of [[human rights]], coupled with anti-Communism; it is based on the view that there is a universal desire to live in a technologically advanced and prosperous society and liberal democracy is one of the byproducts of such modernization.

Neoconservatives are frequently presented by the [[media]] as "[[conservatives]]" rather than as the "neoconservatives" that they are.  Perhaps due to their influence with the [[media]], [[neoconservatives]] dominated the administration of President [[George W. Bush]], and are considered to be responsible for initiating the [[Iraq War]].  Neoconservatives also favor military action against [[Iran]].

 

A cynical view of neoconservatives is they lack any chance for power within the [[Democratic Party]] or among [[liberals]], who have many experienced, educated influence-seekers.  Neoconservatives have an easier time reaching powerful positions by coming over to the [[Republican Party]], much as other former Democrats (e.g. [[Michael Bloomberg]]) became Republicans to advance their personal ambition.

==Origin==

==Origin==

[[Image:Kris.gif|thumb|right|Irving Kristol was dubbed by many as "the Godfather" of Neo-conservatism]]

[[Image:Kris.gif|thumb|right|Irving Kristol was dubbed by many as "the Godfather" of Neo-conservatism]]

Neo-conservatism was developed by a group of intellectuals graduated from the City College of New York in the late 1930's, a group that includes [[Irving Kristol]], [[Daniel Bell]] and [[Nathan Glazer]].<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Neoconservative-Revolution-Jewish-Intellectuals-Shaping/dp/0521836565/ref=sr_1_3/102-2076504-6567320?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175142752&sr=8-3 The Neoconservative Revolution: Jewish Intellectuals and the Shaping of Public Policy, Murray Friedman, 2005]</ref>  Many of this group came to despise the counterculture of the 1960's and what they felt was a growing "anti-Americanism" among many baby boomers.  And during the [[cold war]] era, many of them came to realize the evil of the Stalinist regime.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/magazine/neo.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=4126fa38fefd80de&ex=1298005200 After Neoconservatism, FRANCIS FUKUYAMA, February 19, 2006]</ref>  Kristol described a neoconservative as a '''"liberal mugged by reality"'''. The development of neo-conservatism was strongly influenced by the work of German philosopher [[Leo Strauss]] and Marxist theorist [[Leon Trotsky]].  Irving Kristol himself was once a member of the [[4th international]].

Neo-conservatism was developed by a group of intellectuals graduated from the City College of New York in the late 1930's, a group that includes [[Irving Kristol]], [[Daniel Bell]] and [[Nathan Glazer]].<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Neoconservative-Revolution-Jewish-Intellectuals-Shaping/dp/0521836565/ref=sr_1_3/102-2076504-6567320?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1175142752&sr=8-3 The Neoconservative Revolution: Jewish Intellectuals and the Shaping of Public Policy, Murray Friedman, 2005]</ref>  Many of this group came to despise the counterculture of the 1960's and what they felt was a growing "anti-Americanism" among many baby boomers.  And during the [[cold war]] era, many of them came to realize the evil of the Stalinist regime.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/magazine/neo.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=4126fa38fefd80de&ex=1298005200 After Neoconservatism, February 19, 2006]</ref>  Kristol described a neoconservative as a '''"liberal mugged by reality"'''. The development of neo-conservatism was strongly influenced by the work of German philosopher [[Leo Strauss]] and Marxist theorist [[Leon Trotsky]].  Irving Kristol himself was once a member of the [[4th international]].

 

A more cynical view is that neoconservatives lacked any chance for power within the [[Democratic Party]] or among [[liberals]], who are already quite crowded with experienced, educated influence-seekers.  Neoconservatives have an easier time reaching powerful positions by coming over to the [[Republican Party]], much as other former Democrats (e.g. [[Michael Bloomberg]]) have become Republicans solely to advance their own ambition.

== Religion ==

== Religion ==

The neoconservative movement is atheistic and opposed to religious [[conservatives]] on most moral issues (see below).  The neoconservative movement rarely, if ever, bases its goals or arguments on religious principles.

The neoconservative movement is atheistic and opposed to religious [[conservatives]] on most moral issues (see below).  The neoconservative movement rarely, if ever, bases its goals or arguments on religious principles.

Neoconservatives also tend to minimize or overlook the significance of religious beliefs in conflicts and policies, as in advocating the installation of [[democracy]] in [[Muslim]] countries with little regard for Islamic beliefs and practices.   

Neoconservatives also tend to minimize or overlook the significance of religious beliefs in conflicts and policies, as in advocating the installation of [[democracy]] in [[Muslim]] countries with little regard for Islamic beliefs and practices.

 

Neoconservatives hold an idealistic belief in social progress and the universality of [[human rights]], coupled with anti-Communism.  They hold the view that there is a universal desire to live in a technologically advanced and prosperous society and liberal democracy is one of the byproducts of such modernization.   

== Publications ==

== Publications ==