Definition

1. Noun:
   • A political ideology or movement, especially prominent in the United States from the 1970s onward, that combines a traditional conservative emphasis on strong national defense, assertive foreign policy, and free-market capitalism with a departure from some aspects of older conservative thought, often incorporating a more idealistic or interventionist stance on promoting democracy and American values abroad.

Usage

• Neoconservatism is often discussed in the context of U.S. foreign policy decisions.
• The term neoconservatism is used to describe a distinct school of thought within the broader conservative movement.
• A key figure associated with the rise of neoconservatism is often said to be Irving Kristol.

Examples

• The foreign policy of the early 2000s was heavily influenced by neoconservatism.
• Many of the thinkers who developed neoconservatism were originally liberals who became disillusioned with the political changes of the 1960s.
• Critics argue that neoconservatism leads to overly interventionist and costly military engagements.

Advanced Usage

• "Neoconservative" as an adjective: Describing policies, ideas, or individuals aligned with neoconservatism.
  • The senator outlined a neoconservative vision for foreign affairs.
• "Neoconservative" as a noun (often shortened to "neocon"): A person who advocates for or supports neoconservatism.
  • He was labeled a neoconservative for his hawkish views.

Variants and Related Words

• Neoconservative (adj/n): The primary derivative, describing the ideology or its adherents.
• Neocon (n): A common, sometimes informal or critical, shortening of "neoconservative."

Synonyms

• Hardline foreign policy stance (context-specific)
• Interventionist conservatism (descriptive phrase)

Different Meanings / Contexts

• While primarily a modern American political term, the core idea of a "new conservatism" reacting against perceived liberal excesses can be applied in other national or historical contexts, though the specific policy prescriptions (like democracy promotion) are central to its 20th/21st-century U.S. meaning.

Related Idioms / Phrases

• "The neoconservative project": Refers to the collective agenda or set of policy goals associated with neoconservative thinkers.
  • The article analyzed the successes and failures of the neoconservative project.

Noun

1. an approach to politics or theology that represents a return to a traditional point of view (in contrast to more liberal or radical schools of thought of the 1960s)