neo-con
C2Political journalism, academic political science, informal political discourse
Definition
Meaning
A person or ideology associated with neoconservatism, especially in U.S. politics.
An adherent of a political movement originating in the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by a hawkish, interventionist foreign policy promoting democracy abroad, combined with a blend of free-market economics and limited domestic government intervention. The term often carries strong political connotations.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily a noun but can be used attributively (e.g., neo-con policies). It originated as a shortened form of 'neoconservative' and is often used by critics of the ideology, sometimes pejoratively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a term for U.S. political factions and history. In British discourse, it is used almost exclusively to describe U.S. politics, whereas domestic UK political figures are rarely labelled as such.
Connotations
In both dialects, the term often implies a specific, hawkish U.S. foreign policy stance. In the US, it has strong partisan and ideological connotations. In the UK, it is used more descriptively for US politics, but still with critical undertones.
Frequency
Far more frequent in American English political discourse. In British English, its use is largely confined to analysis of American politics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/label as] a neo-conneo-con [ideology/policies/agenda]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “card-carrying neo-con”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in political risk analysis.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and international relations texts discussing US foreign policy.
Everyday
Used in political discussions, news commentary, and opinion pieces.
Technical
A specific label in political theory and commentary for a distinct ideological strain.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The commentator accused him of neo-conning his way into the administration.
American English
- Some claim the senator has been neo-conned by the foreign policy establishment.
adjective
British English
- The MP dismissed the proposal as a piece of neo-con nonsense from across the Atlantic.
American English
- His neo-con leanings became clear during the debates on intervention.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is often called a neo-con because of his views on foreign policy.
- The magazine article analysed the rise of neo-con influence during the early 2000s.
- Critics argue that the neo-con agenda, for all its rhetorical commitment to democracy, often prioritises strategic dominance and has led to costly military entanglements.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think NEO (new) + CON (servative). A 'new' type of conservative that emerged in the late 20th century.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL IDENTITY IS A LABEL; FOREIGN POLICY IS A CRUSADE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'новый кон' which is nonsensical. The correct term is 'неокон' (neokon).
- Do not confuse with 'консерватор' (conservative) alone, as 'neo-con' specifies a particular historical and ideological subset.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'neo-con' as an adjective instead of the attributive noun (e.g., 'neo-con policies' is better than 'neo-conservative policies' in informal writing).
- Applying the term to any conservative, rather than specifically to those advocating for proactive, democracy-promoting foreign policy.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most closely associated with the foreign policy stance of a typical 'neo-con'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While neo-cons are a subset of conservatives, they are specifically defined by a distinct history (often former liberals) and a strong focus on assertive, democracy-promoting foreign policy.
It can be, depending on context. It originated as a descriptive term but is frequently used by critics. Proponents of the ideology typically prefer 'neoconservative'.
While the ideology is most influential and clearly defined in U.S. politics, similar interventionist, democracy-promoting foreign policy stances in other countries (e.g., the UK under Tony Blair) are sometimes described as 'neo-con' in flavour or inspiration.
All neo-cons are hawks (advocates of aggressive military policy), but not all hawks are neo-cons. 'Hawk' is a broader term for anyone favoring military strength and action, while 'neo-con' implies a specific ideological framework about spreading democratic values.