neo-conservatism
C2Academic, Political, Formal Journalism
Definition
Meaning
A late 20th-century political ideology combining traditional conservative elements with an interventionist foreign policy and hawkish stance on international relations.
A political movement, originally emerging from disillusioned left-wing intellectuals in the United States, that advocates for the promotion of democracy and national interest abroad through assertive foreign policy, coupled with free-market capitalism domestically, while maintaining certain social conservative values.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often abbreviated to 'neoconservatism' or 'neocon'. The term carries significant political connotations and is frequently used pejoratively by opponents to critique foreign policy adventurism. It is more a label for a policy orientation and intellectual movement than a formal, cohesive party platform.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is used predominantly in an American political context. In British discourse, it is used almost exclusively to discuss or critique US politics. The hyphenated form 'neo-conservatism' is more common in UK media, while 'neoconservatism' is standard in American political science.
Connotations
In the US, it is a loaded term with strong positive associations for some (promoting freedom) and strong negative ones for others (militarism). In the UK, it generally carries a neutral-to-negative connotation, often associated with controversial US foreign policy.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English. In British English, its use spikes in contexts analyzing US politics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Neo-conservatism advocates for...A key tenet of neo-conservatism is...He was influenced by neo-conservatism.The era of neo-conservatism has waned.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Neocon" (noun, for an adherent)”
- “"Neocon thinking"”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in analysis of geopolitical risk: 'Market volatility increased due to fears of a neo-conservative shift in foreign policy.'
Academic
Primary context: 'Her thesis examines the intellectual foundations of neo-conservatism in the 1970s.'
Everyday
Rare; used in political discussions: 'He blamed neo-conservatism for getting us into that war.'
Technical
Used in political science and international relations: 'The paper contrasts neo-conservatism with offensive realism.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government was accused of being 'neo-conned' into the conflict.
- To neocon (slang, rare)
American English
- The administration's approach seemed to neocon its way through the crisis.
- They feared the think tank would neocon-ify the party's platform.
adjective
British English
- His neo-conservative views on foreign intervention were controversial.
- A neo-con think-tank.
American English
- The neoconservative project reached its zenith in the early 2000s.
- She outlined a neocon foreign policy doctrine.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Neo-conservatism is an important idea in modern American politics.
- The journalist argued that neo-conservatism had a major influence on the decision to go to war.
- Many former supporters became critical of neo-conservative foreign policy.
- The intellectual genesis of neo-conservatism can be traced to a group of disaffected liberal intellectuals who became disillusioned with the perceived failures of 1960s social policy.
- Critics contend that neo-conservatism's idealistic emphasis on democracy promotion is often blind to complex local realities and historical contexts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think NEO (new) + CONSERVATISM: a 'new' type of conservatism that is not isolationist but actively seeks to shape the world.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOREIGN POLICY IS A MORAL CRUSADE; THE STATE IS A GLOBAL TEACHER/POLICEMAN.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с просто 'консерватизмом' (conservatism). 'Неоконсерватизм' - это специфический, в основном американский, политический феномен с акцентом на внешнюю политику, а не общее понятие современного консерватизма.
- Избегайте буквального перевода как 'новый консерватизм' без пояснения контекста.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for any modern conservatism.
- Misspelling as 'neo-conservativism'.
- Assuming it applies directly to European conservative parties without modification.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most closely associated with the core tenets of neo-conservatism?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional conservatism (paleoconservatism) is often skeptical of grand social engineering and foreign intervention, preferring stability. Neo-conservatism is more optimistic about using state power, especially military power, to actively promote democratic values and national interests abroad.
It is context-dependent and highly politicised. Adherents may use it neutrally or proudly. Opponents use it as a pejorative label to imply reckless militarism or ideological rigidity. In neutral academic writing, 'neoconservative' is standard.
While the ideology is primarily an American phenomenon, its ideas have influenced some centre-right and right-wing politicians in Europe, particularly regarding transatlantic solidarity and a hawkish stance on certain international threats. However, they are rarely labelled as a distinct 'neo-conservative' bloc as in the US.
Economically, neo-conservatives generally advocate for free-market capitalism, tax cuts, and deregulation, aligning with broader economic conservatism. However, the movement's defining characteristics are in the realm of foreign policy and national security.