What is a neo-con?

[election_2004]

I was having a nice little debate with an acquaintance of mine (who is on the far right of the political spectrum), and I used the word "neo-con" in passing. He snidely remarked that I probably don't even know what "neo-con" means.

I began to wonder if he hit the nail on the head? I know that "neo-con" refers to conservatives who use religious and cultural red herrings in politics, but is there a more comprehensive definition that anyone here can give me, describing a "neo-con"?

[WLKjr]

1. One Word:

PNAC

and anyone who agrees with People For a New American Century

[Goldmund]

2. www.newamericancentury.org

[K-W]

3. Neo conservatism is a school of thought

started by ex liberals who were strongly anti-communism. They broke from the democratic party and moved to the republican party.

It is centered around the idea that America is constantly threatened, and that we must operate as if there is a constant real threat of the destruction of the US. Therefore we do not have the time or energy to focus on social policy. We need an agressivee militant nation willing to wage offensive wars to secure our best interests. Liberals are just as bad as enemies because they wish to ignore the threats and weaken our nation through foolish social spending and demilitarization.

It is paranoia to the nth degree and masquerading as strong foriegn policy.

[Classical_Liberal]

6. They also believe it is necessary for a country to have enemies

in order to create social cohesion. They are dogmatic Machiavellians.

[frylock]

4. What's the story on Leo Strauss?

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/031212.html

[Hoping4Change]

11. See the following DU link about Strauss

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1780890#1781801

[mstrsplinter326]

5. Neo Con

Neo: pretending to be
Conservative: one who conserves

Neo Con: pretending to be one who conserves

Anti-environment
Big-govt
"Old School" industry supporters
Anti-tech industry
Anti-personal welfare
Pro-corporate welfare
big military contracts
low military pay

[Hoping4Change]

9. Just a heads up neo actually means new.

[htuttle]

7. In the historical sense, a 'Neo-Con' is usually a former Democrat...

...often turned Republican, who follows the philosophical leanings of Leo Strauss and former Sentator Scoop Jackson. It's characterized by an imperialist outlook on the world, with the sentiment that not only can 'The People' not be trusted with the truth, but that those in power have every right (and duty) to lie and deceive to achieve their goals.

Their stated goal is to remake the world politically into 'free capitalist democracies' -- however in practice, neo-cons usually find that it's easier to work with dictators. Case in point: choosing Pakistan over India as our most important 'ally' in the region. India is a democracy, Pakistan is a dictatorship. Most of the neo-con allies in Central Asia are also dictatorships. It's the Democracies in Europe they seem to have the most trouble with.

Nowdays, the definition of neo-con would need to be extended to include many more neocons who weren't former Democrats, such as Dick Cheney.

And as others have pointed out, the current neo-con movement seems to check in at the 'Project for a New American Century' website:
http://www.newamericancentury.org/

[mrboba1]

8. just seeing the front page of the website gives me

chills...

:scared:

[Hoping4Change]

10. Excellent DU thread on Neo-cons & Leo Stauss

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1780890#1781801